<<Previous | Home | Next>>
Before we get into the specifics and likely implications of this change, I should point out that this innovation is part of the Government's "work is good" agenda which in this instance emphasises the fact that absence from work is bad for productivity and that staying off work for relatively minor ailments is bad for a person's morale and confidence and that we should be encouraged to go to work even though we feel unwell. The response to the consultation makes this clear- "A key plank of our health, work and well-being strategy is to change broader cultural norms around sickness and work, in particular, the erroneous belief that if you are not 100% fit you should not be in work or, indeed, that work can hinder recovery". I quote this in full because it does reveal the moral panic that lies behind this change. I can think of many circumstances where a premature return to work certainly would hinder recovery but the Government seems to be of the view that we should ignore these concerns and carry on regardless. Like its view that the majority of Incapacity Benefit claimants shouldn't be on this benefit, the Government clearly thinks that all of us are taking sick leave for no good reason and that GPs are colluding in this. The other concern is that long-term sickness usually ends up with people becoming unemployed and claiming health-related benefits.
As from April 6th, instead of stating simply that we are unfit for work, doctors will be able to tick a box which says "you may be fit for work taking account of the following advice: If available and with your employer's agreement you may benefit from:
It's worth noting that the British Medical Association which represents GPs has consistently expressed concern about this change especially with regard to the patient/doctor relationship and the fact that the new system won't be properly understood be either doctors or patients. I certainly have concerns about my doctor becoming a servant of the DWP and I know that he doesn't have the required expertise to pass judgement on what may or may not help me return to work. Doctors are not occupational therapists and even though the government suggests that this new note should be seen as a 'prompt' for discussion between employee and employer, the fact remains that doctors shouldn't be left to guess which box to tick.
John Armstrong. Benefitsnow Ltd. February 3rd 2010.
