21 November 2011
Posted by Editorial team
Having an independent assessment service to determine if personnel are
fit for work when they are on long-term sickness leave could be good
for businesses, it has been claimed.
John Longworth, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce
(BCC) welcomed the recommendations of a review commissioned by the
government and authored by NHS director for health and work Dame Carol
Black and former head of the BCC David Frost.
The experts suggested taking the responsibility of deciding whether a
person is too ill to work away from GPs after individuals have been
away from their jobs for four weeks and pass it to independent
evaluators.
Mr Longworth said 70 per cent of businesses think the legislation
around sickness absence is burdensome, arguing the current system is
not in the interests of employers, but the proposed rules could get
workers back to their duties earlier.
"Ministers must focus on implementing the new assessment and the other
measures recommended by this review quickly, to make sure everyone who
can work, does work," he stated.
The Department for Work and Pensions last week revealed the results of
a study showing GPs feel fit notes are most effective for people with
conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, musculoskeletal
problems and mild to moderate mental health issues.
Additional information on "fit notes" can be found here:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2584.aspx
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