New rules in force from today mean getting time off work when you are ill has become easier. Nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists can legally sign people off work from today which until now could only have been done by a GP.
Anyone who is so ill they need more than seven days off work needs a sick not to prove they are unwell. The relaxation of the rule could also make it easier for people to claim Universal Credit and other benefits aimed at supporting those who are unable to work because of illness.
The change has taken effect in England, Scotland and Wales and is being mirrored in Northern Ireland.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Slashing unnecessary bureaucracy is key to ensuring more patients can see their GP quickly and get the care they need as we bust the Covid backlogs."
He wants to cut bureaucracy faced by doctors so they can deliver an additional 50 million appointments a year by 2024. The Government is relaxing the rules further after changing them in April so that GPs had the option to sign sick notes digitally instead of having to use a pen and paper.
A host of new features are set to added to the NHS app like the ability to directly chat with a GP, manage hospital appointments and access records.
