US EditionStop giving millions of sick notes and send patients to gym, GPs told
ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 12 – The pilot aims to cut 11 million annual sick notes by offering patients gym referrals and job coaching to help 56,000 disabled and ill people return to work by spring 2026.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting introduced a government pilot encouraging doctors in England to direct patients toward exercise programs or employment support services instead of routinely granting time off work.
- This pilot responds to the issue that 11 million fit notes are issued yearly, with 93% simply declaring patients 'not fit for work', which is seen as a broken system.
- The scheme provides funding for GPs to establish specialist teams including occupational therapists, work coaches, and social prescribers to help patients manage health and return to employment.
- A January report revealed that 67,794 people accessed employment support through the NHS’s mental health services in the past year, representing a 62% rise compared to the previous year.
- While the Universal Credit Bill was approved with a 94-vote majority, plans to increase benefits with inflation remain under review, and this pilot signifies a move from managing sickness to promoting work and health.
27 Articles
27 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…
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