Doctors to refer people with depression to job coaches under new government plan
Send patients to gym instead of writing sick note, Streeting tells GPs
- A new government pilot scheme in England will encourage doctors to refer patients to services like gyms or job coaches instead of signing them off as "not fit for work".
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the current system, which issues 11 million "fit notes" annually with 93 per cent dismissing people as "not fit for work", is a "broken system".
- The pilot, trialled in 15 locations, will fund GPs to employ dedicated teams, including specialists like occupational therapists and work coaches, to help patients return to employment.
- This initiative follows the passage of a Universal Credit Bill in the Commons, which ensures the basic allowance will rise with inflation until 2029/30.
- Recent research shows a significant increase in people receiving employment advice through the NHS talking therapies programme, which assists with CV writing, interview preparation, and workplace adjustments.