The BBC has received responses from 752 GPs in England, with 540 stating they have never refused a fit note for mental health issues.
According to the GPs, the current system can be frustrating, with some patients becoming aggressive if they are not signed off work. The BBC sent a questionnaire to more than 5,000 GPs, as reported by BBC News.
The number of fit notes being issued has been rising, with almost 850,000 more fit notes in the most recent year compared to six years earlier. Fit notes are approved when someone is unwell or cannot work for more than seven days.
Fit Note Data
Fit note data shows that 72% of fit notes do not give a reason for the patient's absence. However, more than 956,000 notes last year cited mental health and behavioural disorders as the underlying reason.
GP Concerns
GPs have expressed concerns that signing patients off work can threaten the doctor/patient relationship. One GP said, "It is hard to be patient's advocate and a judge."
Some GPs feel that they are not the most appropriate professionals to provide long-term support to enable patients to return to work. The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) chair, Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, said that family doctors may not always be the most suitable for this role.
Government Response
The government has stated that the current fit note system needs reforming and is testing new approaches. A spokesperson said, "We know that we need to do more to build a system that works for everyone."
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is one of 60 companies working with officials to explore alternative solutions, including "stay in/return to work" plans developed with businesses and occupational health professionals.
Concerns and Next Steps
There are concerns about how this kind of help could be scaled up, particularly for small businesses. Tom Pollard, head of policy and campaigns at the mental health charity Mind, said that any move towards an alternative system needs to be "approached with caution" and "built around trusting and compassionate relationships".
