Computer-generated ‘fit notes’ could save GPs more than £100m over the next ten years, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
The move to fit notes from the current Med 3 form is due to take place in April 2010 and is aimed at cutting the estimated £100 billion annual cost of sick leave.
The government has now published the new ‘fit note’ and launched a 12 week consultation.
The consultation document estimates that use of the computer-generated form would save GPs time compared to using the current hand written Med 3 statement.
It says this in combination with an estimated drop in consultation numbers because of earlier return to work should deliver a net saving to GPs over the ten years to 2019 of between £23m and £109m.
The new fit notes will enable GPs to record whether a patient is fit or not fit for work but will also include a new option to allow a doctor to indicate where someone ‘may be fit for some work now.’
The DWP said the fit note would enable people to get the best possible advice about staying in work and what their employer can do to help them return to work sooner. For example, if the employee had a problem with mobility, they might suggest a job in which they could work sitting down rather than standing up.
Health minister Ben Bradshaw said getting people back into work quicker was good for their health as well as the country’s finances.
He added: “The fit note will give GPs a new opportunity to benefit their patients and I look forward to it being used in surgeries everywhere.”
The computer-generated format will allow patients’ details, diagnosis and dates to be input on the form before it is printed for signature. Details from the statements would re retained on the GP’s patient records system.
The consultation document says that the new computer-generated Med 3 form is expected to save time for GPs even though feedback from the pilot study estimated that GPs expected a longer discussion with patients considered ‘fit for some work’.
It said the computer-generated form would be quicker to complete, especially as GPs became more familiar with the system, and eliminate the current need to transfer some of the details from hand written notes onto electronic record systems.
It estimated that the scheme would also lead to patients returning to work earlier, estimating a saving of one GP consultation for each patient who returned to work earlier than they would previously have done.
The consultation document adds: “A computer generated Form Med 3 statement would provide GPs with a permanent record which they can refer back to during future consultations with the patient.
“It would help to identify individuals with repeat sickness statements and patterns of illness enabling discussions on what adjustments can facilitate an early and continuous period of return to work.
“Improved recording and analysis of statements would also allow GPs to compare standards of clinical practice and improve treatment of their patients resulting in better clinical outcomes.”
The DWP said the new system would also enable easier identification of regional or health issues, public health surveillance and service planning.
The fit notes have already been tested with more than 500 GPs and a trial of electronic fit notes is nearing completion in Wales, according to the DWP.
It said changes to the regulations would be made to allow computer-generated medical statements and more details of its plans for computer-generated statements would be released later in the year.
Links: Reforming the Medical Statement – consultation on draft regulations
Related articles: Electronic fit notes to replace sick notes