We have produced an update on our work for GPs. It was distributed at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference in October 2012.

• Improving health through work – an update for GPs on health and work policy and projects (249KB)

Electronic fit notes

The rollout of electronic fit note capability starts in July 2012 and is expected to be complete by early 2013. GP practice IT providers will contact each practice before the electronic fit note is added to their IT system.

• GPs – computer-completed fit notes fact sheet (34KB)
• Patients and employees – computer-completed fit notes information

• Med 3, Med 10 and MATB1 ordering arrangements (DWP publications section)

New guide to the benefit system for GPs

Responding to requests from GPs, DWP have produced a short guide specifically for GPs on the benefit system. The guide includes information on the main benefits your patients may be eligible for, details of where GPs can access further guidance and where you can signpost patients for more information.

• A short guide to the benefit system for General Practitioners (85KB)

Health and work in practice – GP workshops – from October 2011

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are running half-day workshops for GPs on managing work and health issues in their patient population in various locations across Great Britain.

• RCGP health and work workshops (RCGP website)

Doctors fee payment details – notifying DWP about changes

For security reasons, DWP can no longer accept a standalone letter from doctors or surgeries about changes to fee payment details.

To notify us of any changes to your address or bank account, please include the details in the appropriate section of the next official PDCS Doctors Fee claim form (DBD36 or DS1500) you submit. We examine all forms and will ensure your next payment reflects any changes you have included.

• Work and Mental Health resource from the Royal College of Psychiatrists

The RCS have recently added another nine surgical procedures to their Get Well Soon series. The leaflets give advice to patients on what to expect from their recovery.

• Patient information - Get Well Soon (Royal College of Surgeons website)

• Reassessment of incapacity benefits customers – Q&A for healthcare professionals (25KB)

• Advice on chronic fluctuating conditions for GPs and their patients (www.yourworkhealth.com)

• Advice on post operative recovery times for gynaecological surgery (RCOG website)
• Press release – Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) – post-operative recovery

• Occupational health advice service for GPs

• Carer’s Credit certification guidance

• Statement of Fitness for Work – information on the planned changes to the medical statement Med 3

• New IB/ESA113 (interactive) – complete it on your PC

• Guidance for GPs on sickness certification in response to the swine flu pandemic (Department of Health)
• Employers – Managing the impact of swine flu (Business Link)
• Swine flu - self certification and Statutory Sick Pay (Directgov)

Medical certificates – Employment and Support Allowance appeals

Jobcentre Plus has received a number of queries from GPs about the need to provide medical certificates to patients who are appealing against the decision to disallow Employment and Support Allowance.

Medical evidence is required to support benefit claims at all times unless the Work Capability Assessment threshold is met. This requirement does not change while a patient is appealing and is no different to the arrangements which applied under Incapacity Benefit.

• Reforming the Medical Statement (2MB)

DWP Medical (factual) Reports – A Guide to Completion

• DWP Medical (factual) Reports – A Guide to Completion (245KB)
  Guidance for healthcare professionals on completion of medical (factual) reports for the Department.

Improving health and work: changing lives, published on 25 November 2008, is the Government’s response to Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, Dame Carol Black’s Review of the health of Britain’s working age population.

• Government response to Dame Carol Black's review

Royal College of Surgeons of England launch consensus-based return to work guidance for some of the most common surgical procedures.

• Up and about quickly (Royal College of Surgeons website)

This new DWP health and work site launched.

Dame Carol Black’s review of the health of Britain’s working age population published.

• Working for a healthier tomorrow