Commenting on the recent Department for Work and Pensions Green Paper, ‘Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability’, and proposed reforms to the certification of fit notes, which include extending powers of issue to healthcare practitioners such as occupational therapists, Karin Bishop at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and expert on the impact of work on individual’s health and wellbeing says:
“The Royal College of Occupational Therapists welcomes the announcement of the inclusion of occupational therapists in the proposals for the extension of certification for fit notes.
Occupational therapists are well placed to be involved in making a judgment about fitness for work and providing sickness certification. They can identify the in-depth support required for individuals, for example: defining amended hours and identifying any reasonable adjustments required; analysing particular job tasks and the demands on the worker in carrying out these tasks and the impact of the illness or injury for the person.
Our GP colleagues are extremely busy and do not always have the time to carry out these assessments in the necessary detail, so it makes absolute sense for occupational therapists to be included in proposals to the extension in certification powers.
Having the skills and competencies to assess the person, their environment, and their occupations, occupational therapists have for some time now been using the Allied Health Professions Advisory Fitness for Work Report, which is similar to the current GP statutory documentation. The AHP report is more detailed and specifically identifies issues and potential solutions for return to work. Adapting to the more formal role of issuing fit notes would be a smooth transition for occupational therapists who make judgments on individual’s ability to perform specific tasks, and the support they need based on that judgment, on a daily basis.
The Royal College of Occupation Therapists has been working closely with the Government’s Joint Work and Health Unit (JH&WU) on the consultation and looks forward to continuing to shape these important changes to policy with our colleagues across the health and care sector."