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Occupational therapists to help GPs with fit notes

Monday 26th July 2010

Occupational therapists have been employed by the government to provide advice to GPs about filling in fit notes.

According to Healthcare Republic, GPs can access the advice service through NHS Direct, however, once they identify themselves as a doctor, their call will be passed on to a specialist adviser.

It means that GPs could receive advice from those working in occupational therapy jobs while holding a consultation with a patient.

The aim of the service is to provide more specialist advice on demand about fit notes and how best to help a patient return to work.

In April this year, the traditional sick note was replaced by the new Statement of Fitness to Work, otherwise known as a fit note.

As part of the government's Health, Work and Wellbeing initiative, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners to set up the Health e-Working website in May this year.

This resource is designed to provide GPs with online training relating to subjects such as fitness for work, rehabilitation and working with a medical condition.

Written by Matthew Horton