SPM50305 - Medical Referrals - The
Referral
Reason for referral
An employee may be asked to attend a medical if their employer
asks for access to medical services because:
- the employee has had frequent short
sickness absences
- the employer disputes that the employee is
unfit to do their contracted work due to incapacity or illness
- the employer does not accept that the
employee is off work due to an illness or incapacity related to
pregnancy
- the HMRC caseworker or Nominated Officer
needs independent medical advice to help form an opinion or give a
section 8 SSCTOFA1999/article 7 SSCTOFO(NI)1999 decision in an SSP
or SMP case, or
- to support the HMRC decision when there is
an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal involving disputed incapacity
for work or pregnancy related illness.
An employee cannot be forced to attend a medical. However if
they refuse to attend or to allow their GP to provide a medical
statement, any opinion or decision on their incapacity will be made
based on the available medical evidence and their employer’s
opinion as to their fitness for work.
