Fit note changes come into effect from 1 July 2022

Additional healthcare professionals, as well as doctors, will be able to sign fit notes from 1 July 2022

A fit note, also known as a statement for fitness to work, is a medical statement that doctors issue to patients whose health condition affects their ability to work. Up to and including 30 June 2022 only doctors can sign a fit note.

Additional health care professionals that can sign fit notes

From 1 July 2022, in addition to doctors, a wider list of healthcare professionals will be able to sign a fit note including:

• a registered medical practitioner
• a registered nurse
• a registered occupational therapist
• a registered pharmacist
• a registered physiotherapist

For full details of the change to this regulation see the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022.

First published 24 June 2022