A senior sister has just completed training to become the first nurse at the James Paget to be able to certify ‘fit notes’ for patients leaving hospital to recover at home.
The ‘fit note’ is a form of medical evidence which declares that an individual is unable to work due to a medical condition or needing time to recuperate after an operation.
Previously, fit notes could only be authorised by a consultant or doctor. But a change in Department of Health and Social Care guidance now means that healthcare professionals including nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists can now issue fit notes, following appropriate training.
Beverley Gray, Senior Sister in the Day Care Unit, has become the first nurse at the Paget to issue fit notes – and will soon be joined by other nurses working on the unit in the weeks ahead.
“Many patients who have surgery need time off work to fully recover – and for that they need a fit note,” said Beverley.
“Having more members of the team able to issue the notes is a really positive step, as it helps with discharge administration.
“Sometimes patients simply forget that they need a note and previously would have to get an appointment with their GP to be issued with one.
“Now, in that scenario, our patients will be able to pick up the phone and talk to a member of the Day Care nursing team to get a fit note, which saves using a GP appointment which can then be used by another patient.”