Physiotherapists Granted Rights to Issue Fit Notes

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has revealed details of a government announcement that will allow physiotherapists to sign Fit Notes to help people get back into work.

Experts in Musculoskeletal Disorders

The Government issued paper ‘Improving Lives: the Future of Work, Health and Disability’ outlined a significant focus on musculoskeletal illness and an expansion on those professions qualified to issue Fit Notes. At present, the Fit Note is only able to be issued by GPs and hasn’t taken off as a tool to help employees get back into work. With low usage and limitations it hasn’t been a success yet – but physiotherapists, as experts in musculoskeletal illness and rehabilitation, will be able to issue Fit Notes with skill.

Getting People Back into Work

Another benefit of allowing physiotherapists to sign Fit Notes is to take advantage of their knowledge around how best to adapt the workplace in order for an employee to return to work. This is a factor in why the Fit Note isn’t working as planned at the moment – GP’s aren’t equipped with as much specialised knowledge of how workplaces can be adapted to meet patient’s needs.

The CSP says:

‘The proposal to allow physiotherapists to issue fit notes is excellent news for patients, as is the focus on musculoskeletal conditions, which are one of the leading reasons for sickness absence in the UK.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Patients should need fewer appointments as well as getting answers – and back to work – more quickly and pain free.

If you’re curious as to what sort of return as an employer you could generate by using occupational physiotherapists, you can enter your organisational details into our Absence Calculator.