US EditionStop giving millions of sick notes and send patients to gym, GPs told
ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 11 – The pilot scheme aims to reduce 11 million annual sick notes by referring patients to job coaches, gyms, and specialists to support work retention and improve health outcomes.
- On July 11, 2025, the UK government introduced a pilot program in 15 locations where GPs are encouraged to direct individuals towards fitness activities or employment support services instead of issuing sick leave certificates.
- The scheme responds to the problem of 11 million fit notes issued yearly, with 93% simply signing people off as not fit for work without support.
- GPs will be funded to employ a range of professionals, such as specialists in rehabilitation, employment support advisors, and community health coordinators, to assist patients in managing their health while facilitating their return to work.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that the country can no longer dismiss people from work due to health issues, noting that 67,794 individuals began receiving NHS employment advice last year—a 62% increase from the year before.
- The pilot aims to end a broken system harming patients and the economy by promoting active recovery and integrating health with work support services.
14 Articles
14 Articles
GPs encouraged to stop handing out sick notes
GPs are being encouraged to stop handing out fit notes – also known as sick notes, to sign people off work, and instead offer specialist help to manage their health conditions while getting them back into work. A new pilot scheme will be introduced in 15 areas, with dedicated teams to help people find a job, with other kinds of support including gym memberships and gardening classes.
GPs told to send patients to gym in bid to end 'sick note Britain'
GPs are being urged to stop signing people off work by handing out millions of "sick notes" and instead send them to the gym or job coaches.Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the government "simply can't afford to keep writing people off" with a pilot scheme, called WorkWell, launched so the NHS could ensure people could find ways to work.The scheme is being trialled in 15 regions with GP surgeries given funding to provide specialist support to…
New sicknote rules in England with GPs less likely to sign people off - Birmingham Live
Doctors are being encouraged to refer patients to the gym or job coaches with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rather than signing them off as “not fit for work”.
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