The ‘Fit Note’ was developed with specific expertise from Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists,Chiropodists and Podiatrists.
With awareness of mental health increasing, what can employers and businesses do to support one of their largest assets – their staff? Healthcare professionals have long understood the value that work can bring and the AHP Fit Note has been developed to support the evidence that on the whole, work is good for physical health, mental health and well-being. People do not need to be 100% fit to engage with work and a goal of the AHP and employee may be to enable the employee to safely remain in or return to work wherever possible.
AHPs play a central role in helping people to return to and manage their own health and well-being. Occupational Therapists assess functional difficulties associated with both physical and mental health in the work-place to provide appropriate solutions for long-term benefit. Occupational Therapists are specialists in enabling people with health difficulties to complete activities, or occupations, which are essential to their daily living. Many people affected by health difficulties, either physical or mental, are of working age and some require specialist support to be able to return to and sustain their employment.
Occupational Therapists are uniquely placed health care professionals with core skills of task analysis, or functional assessment. Occupational Therapists provide holistic assessments to identify barriers to independent living and vocational tasks – we look at physical, psychological, social and environmental issues and identify strategies to assist people to become more independent.
Occupational Therapists may work with employers, Human Resource departments, Occupational Health professionals, Solicitors, Insurers and Case Managers. Occupational Therapists assess essential job demands alongside a person’s health to make recommendations to return to work or remain in work. We focus on functional ability and assess, analyse and solve problems. We provide advice on reasonable adjustments and on absence management. Our intervention can improve lives, prevent ill-health and injury, educate employees and employers, treat the individual and save businesses money.
The ‘Fit Note’ report can be provided to employers following assessment to demonstrate that an employee may be fit to remain in, or return to work, and to suggest options that will help. It is also suitable medical evidence for the purposes of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provided that the employee and employer agree.
The report can also be provided to employers to inform about appropriate adaptations to the work environment, hours or duties. The report can be further provided to employee’s GPs. If you are an employer and would like to discuss our services with us, to help an employee experiencing difficulties at work due to a health condition, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss how Rehab Jigsaw Ltd could help you.
Rehab Jigsaw Ltd was established by Occupational Therapists and is managed by occupational Therapists. We understand your needs and have a team of experienced, skilled and professional Occupational Therapists to offer services across the UK. Please contact us for further details on info@rehabjigsaw.co.uk or 03333 440783
