Employers
demanding sick notes from staff missing work through illness have been accused
of wasting GPs time in a new Government report.
The
Cabinet Office’s Regulatory Unit, responsible for easing doctor’s bureaucratic
burden, said that employers asking for sick notes within seven days of falling
ill were taking up valuable GP appointments.
The
team estimated that as many as 2.4 million doctors’ appointments could be saved
if organisations allowed staff to wait until the seven-day period was over.
Cabinet
Office minister Lord Macdonald said the Government was committed to cutting red
tape in the public sector and more firms should consider self certification.
"This
report will let GPS spend more time treating people who are ill rather than
filling in forms," he said.
www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/PublicSector/ReducingGPPaperwork2.pdf
