Pharmacists and nurses will be able to certify fit notes to reduce GPs’ workload

A wider range of health professionals will be legally able to certify fit notes in order to ease pressure on GPs under new rules going through parliament.

New legislation will allow pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists to provide sick notes. Once passed the law change will take effect from 1 July and apply across England, Wales, and Scotland.

The extension of fit note certification follows changes made in April 2022 that allow for fit notes to be certified digitally.

The BMA has welcomed the move but the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) said it had a “number of concerns” that must be tackled to enable pharmacists to provide fit notes.

RPS president, …