Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of amending legislation to allow (a) midwives, (b) allied health professionals, (c) nurse practitioners and (d) other health care professionals to complete fit notes for patients.

In July 2021, the government set out plans to deliver transformation of the fit note including removing the requirement to sign in ink (from April 2022) and committing to amending regulations to allow a wider range of eligible professionals to sign fit notes (planned for Summer 2022).

In order to assess which healthcare professions are in scope to complete fit notes we have engaged, and will continue to engage, with DHSC and clinical experts. Additionally, as part of the planned policy changes, we will subsequently undertake relevant monitoring.