Fit notes

A fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) is the form issued by doctors if you're off work sick for more than 7 days. They are sometimes referred to as medical statements or a doctor's note.

The fit note allows doctors to advise you "may be fit for work", taking into account the advice they give. This is to encourage people back to work if reasonable adjustments can be made by their employer.

The role of NHS Digital

NHS Digital collect anonymous data extracted from fit notes issued in GP practice record systems. Data is extracted weekly.

The data is then provided to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who use it to:

undertake research and analysis
inform government policy relating to employment and sickness absence – this includes evaluation of the new Fit for Work service (which provides an occupational health assessment), Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit
identify geographic, clinical commissioning group (CCG) and GP practice level differences in sickness absence management – this will inform policy making and help to improve the process of managing sickness absence, resulting people returning to work sooner
measure the uptake and success of the Fit for Work service
use fit note data to understand the reasons for claiming benefits
enable CCGs to self-audit their fit note – this will inform their own policy and commissioning decisions

Further information

Fit Notes Issued by GP Practices

Statistical publication series page.

eMED3 (fit notes) Data Provision Notice

Data Provision Notice for the collection of anonymised data on patients who have been issued with a fit note under the Fit for Work scheme.

Fit note advice from NHS.UK

Answers to common questions about fit notes.

Last edited: 9 April 2019 12:41 pm