Majority believe GPs best placed to sign staff off

Two-thirds of staff still think GPs should be solely responsible for signing people off work as opposed to OH services or self-certification.

A study of more than 2,000 people by health education charity DPP found most still want GPs to be responsible, despite the government actively looking at alternatives to GP certification and a redesign of the Med3 sicknote.

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The study also showed most people – 81% – felt it was up to them to ensure they remained healthy enough to stay in work, while 79% said they would welcome health consultations at work by a healthcare professional.

Dr Barbara Kneale, DPP’s OH consultant, said: “While the debate among the profession on certification still struggles on, and despite the entrenched value that the public places on GP sicknotes, employers would do well to recognise the potential gains for themselves and their employees from taking control of absence and supporting their employees’ health at work.”