SPM10306 - Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) - Forms and Guidance: Medical Statement

A revised medical statement (fit note) came into operation on 6 April 2010 amending the current medical statement- sick note (Med 3).

The new medical statement allows GPs to provide advice to their patients about how their condition affects their fitness for work and aid their return to work, giving employer’s greater flexibility in managing sickness absence.

GPs can still advise whether an employee should refrain from work, but will also be able to advise whether it would be appropriate for them to do some work.

For Example:

The GP may propose that an employee with back pain could return to work if they can take regular breaks away from their desk for exercise.

The advice provided by the GP is at the discretion of employers and with agreement of the employee to take.

Where no changes are made, the medical statement should be considered as evidence of the individual being unfit for work for sick pay purposes.