Nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists will be able to issue fit notes from 1 July, as the government tries to reduce pressure on overstretched GPs.
However, the DWP stressed that fit notes can only be issued following an assessment of a person’s fitness for work, so cannot be issued on request or via over-the-counter services.
This change, along with the introduction in April of digital fit notes which do not have to be physically signed in ink, should make the process of getting a fit note simpler for some claimants at least.
You can read the full press release on the changes to fit note certification here.
