In November 2017, The Government Command paper Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability committed to investigating the feasibility of the AHP Advisory Fitness for Work Report for the purposes of Statutory Sick Pay and we are pleased to announce that this has now been confirmed. Following extensive work by the RCOT with its fellow organisations under the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF), the Joint Department for Health and Social Care and Department for Work and Pensions Health Unit has acknowledged that the report is suitable medical evidence for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
The Joint Work and Health Unit statement says:
“Acceptable medical evidence for SSP would normally be in the form of a statement given by a doctor i.e. a fit note, however if both the employer and employee agree then an appropriately completed and signed Allied Health Professional Fitness for Work Report could be permissible.”
Occupational therapists working in employment and vocation are encouraged to amplify their use of this document within their professional remits, and the College is encouraging members to ensure they take full advantage of the department’s revised stance on the AHP Advisory Fitness for Work Reports. RCOT members can access the report and guidance here.
Assistant Director for Professional Practice at RCOT, Karin Bishop says: “Occupational therapists and their unique skillset are well placed to carry out a variety of assessments relating to fitness for work. This announcement from the Joint Work and Health Unit is the first step towards widening the extension of fit note certification to other health care professionals. We believe this will relieve significant pressure on GPs, freeing them up to work more effectively with primary care issues.”