Friday 31 October 2014
The Social Security Department started its Supporting Occupational Health and Wellbeing project in May this year. This project will change the way Social Security deals with sickness benefit claims.
With the help of GPs the medical certificate (sick note) has been redesigned to improve the chances of keeping people in work or to help them return to work more quickly. Social Security is confident that the new certificate will shorten the length of some sickness claims and increase the number of people making a return to work.
The new sick note is being trialled with a small number of GPs from November 2014, so some employers will see the new sick note very soon.
Dr Leslie Smith who is a Consultant Occupational Physician and Accredited Specialist in Occupational Medicine is playing a key role in the project. Dr Smith has helped to shape Social Security's new way of working, including the delivery of training sessions for GPs.
Dr Leslie Smith said:
"This has been a fantastic opportunity to work closely with GPs in the redesign of the medical certificate and I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism and participation of GPs in the training sessions."
The most obvious change to the certificate is its size, which is now in A4 format. The new layout will enable GPs to also specify what a person can do. It will also indicate if a person might benefit from a phased return, adjusted hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations to facilitate an earlier return to work. Social Security say that although adjustments may not always be possible, this advice will enable employers to consider changes which will make a successful return to work more likely.
To claim sickness benefit a medical certificate is only needed if the illness lasts for at least 4 days. There is no benefit entitlement for claims which last less than 4 days. While the primary purpose of the medical certificate is to enable a person to claim benefit, the form also conveys important information between the GP, the patient, Social Security and the employer.
The new certificate will offer advice and information for line managers and employers. And the Department will be writing to employers about the changes to the certificate shortly.
Ed Ashton, Deputy Chief Officer of the Social Security Department said:
"We believe employers will find the new certificate much more helpful in supporting staff during periods of sickness, and can be used as the basis for positive discussion with employees."
The Department recognises that not all employers have access to occupational health advice and is working with the Health & Social Services Department to pilot a general occupational health advice line. The Department expects the advice line to be available early in the New Year when the new medical certificate is made available to all doctors.
Deputy Allister Langlois, Social Security Minister said:
"We're grateful for the contribution and engagement of medical practitioners throughout this project. We're very pleased to be working so closely with the Primary Care Committee, which we believe is vital to the overall success of the project."
Dr Brian Parkin, Chairman of the Primary Care Committee said:
"Self-esteem and mental health are improved when people are able to work productively. We are very pleased that Social Security is putting the needs of working people high on their agenda. We hope to continue working with the Department to help ensure that, when it is appropriate, people with health problems are enabled to continue working by adjustments in their working environment or hours of work."
ENDS
Contact Details
Ed Ashton, Deputy Chief Officer
Tel: 01481 732562
Mark Gannon, Deputy Manager, Benefits
Tel: 01481 732588
