I am beginning to wonder if hospital consultants have correctly understood the shift from sick notes to ‘fit notes'.
Some specialists are now suggesting we put patients onto permanent disability (at cost to taxpayers, of course, not ourselves) rather than have them continue to work when able or if employers can adjust for them.
We are also having difficulty with employers who have misunderstood the new system. Some are sending patients back because a Med3 marked ‘fit to return to work if...' is deemed ‘unacceptable' – possibly because they do not want to make the adjustments.
In the circumstances, it is obvious the Government should stop trying to blame GPs for the system not working. We cannot make it work if everyone else doesn't, because we are outnumbered.
From Dr David Church
Machynlleth, Mid Wales
