Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Fit notes are too often a dead end – a piece of paper that tells people they can’t work but does nothing to help them get better.
“We’re changing that. By bringing employers, the NHS, and patients together we can help people recover faster, stay connected to their jobs, and get the economy firing on all cylinders.”
Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of GPs, said “the current system can involve significant administrative work that takes time away from patient care”.
She added: “However, any reform of the fit note process must put the health and wellbeing of patients first, be fully resourced and avoid creating additional workload for general practice.”
John Foster, from the Confederation of British Industry, which represents businesses, welcomed the pilot, saying the current system “fails employers, workers, and the economy”.
Tom Pollard, from the mental health charity Mind, said: “Giving people the chance to have detailed conversations about the challenges they face and the support they need is a positive step.
“However, it’s vitally important that this is a supportive and collaborative process.
“People with mental health problems must not feel pressured to work when they don’t feel able, or to return to workplaces that are not supporting their mental health.”
Conservative shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew said it was “good to see Labour finally waking up to fit note reform”.
“The Conservatives have long argued that too many people are being written off work when they could be supported to recover, stay independent and contribute,” he said.
