The new digital fit note
New Regulations. On 6 April 2022 the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force. They make two key changes. Firstly, they prescribe a new digital form of fit note . They also remove the previous requirement that a fit note had to be physically signed in ink by the medical practitioner who issued it. As such, the new form of fit note doesn’t have a box for a physical signature.
Doctor’s name. Instead of providing their signature, the medical practitioner who’s issued the fit note must provide their full name. This means it’s easier to see who has authorised it. However, the removal of the requirement for a physical signature has raised concerns that it might be easier to forge digital fit notes. In the event you’ve concerns about the validity of any fit note given to you by an employee, can you approach their GP (or other medical practitioner) who’s purportedly issued it?
Official position. The fit note guidance for GPs confirms that an employer may contact them asking if a fit note is genuine (see The next step ). The GP may then choose to check the fit note’s serial number and confirm to the employer that they’ve issued it, but they aren’t obliged to do so. As this request doesn’t reveal any of the employee’s medical information, you don’t need their consent to approach their GP.
Tip. If you receive an old version of the fit note which has been physically signed by the employee’s GP, you can still accept it as these documents remain legally valid. A fit note will only be issued after seven days’ continuous absence - an employee can’t obtain a fit note from their GP prior to then. Instead, they can self-certify their sickness absence for the first seven days (see The next step ).
For the fit note guidance for GPs and a self-certification of sickness absence form, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 24, issue 08.
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