Doctors Bonus if cut back on Sick

**Mick** · 22-01-2006, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyNews

Doctors may be offered bonuses to cut the number of notes they issue to the long-term sick.

Ministers want to drastically cut the 2.7 million people claiming incapacity benefit.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...497221,00.html

Sure this is going about it in a round about way rather than tackling the issue directly....?

Escapee · 22-01-2006, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...497221,00.html

Sure this is going about it in a round about way rather than tackling the issue directly....?

I think GP's hand out sick notes far easier these days than they used to. I guess they may have an excuse because they are under a lot of pressure to get through so many patients a day.

I went along to the doctors just over 12 months ago with a return of my psoriasis problems, the doctor started asking if I was stressed etc and then said "Do you want a note for a week?" he told me to make another appointment to see him in a couple of weeks, and he then said "Do you want a note for 2 weeks?" on my third visit he offered me a note for 3 weeks.

I declined all offers, they certainly seem to dish them out far easier than they used to.

**Stuart C** · 22-01-2006, 23:11

Actually, the problem in my area (or so I am told by friends who are in a position to know) is that GPs are far too likely to refer a person to A&E for treatment (even minor scrapes and bruises that can be treated far more cheaply at the GP's surgery). The local hospital trust even talked about opening a "minor injuries" unit where GPs could hire facilities to treat these injuries (and even perform minor surgery) themselves. I don't think GPs showed any interest.

As for giving out sick notes too easily, well, it does sometimes seem like they do. I think the government is probably dealing it with the best way they can. Any other way I can think of may well reduce the chances of those who genuinely need sick notes getting them.

At least this way, the GP should be able to see if the person geniunly needs it or not.

Ramrod · 22-01-2006, 23:17

Waaaay off topic here....but who the hell is Michael.....is it you Mike, have you rebranded yourself??

---------- Post added at 23:17 ---------- Previous post was at 23:16 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escapee

I think GP's hand out sick notes far easier these days than they used to.

Don't your GP's charge a tenner for sick notes? They do round here....

marky · 22-01-2006, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Waaaay off topic here....but who the hell is Michael.....is it you Mike, have you rebranded yourself?

I think its a new mod

danielf · 22-01-2006, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky

I think its a new mod

I think it's Mick.

**Stuart C** · 22-01-2006, 23:36

It is Mick.

Ramrod · 22-01-2006, 23:41

Yep, a little birdy told me

**Maggy J** · 22-01-2006, 23:41

Hang on! I don't think we are discussing the usual run of the mill sick note here.This is the benefit folk get when they are physically unable to work long term..and can cover mental illness as well as the inability to physically work at a job.

Ramrod · 22-01-2006, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Hang on! I don't think we are discussing the usual run of the mill sick note here.

You are quite correct....

Quote:

Doctors may be offered bonuses to cut the number of notes they issue to the long-term sick.

looselipsuk · 22-01-2006, 23:54

It probably would help if the Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton, actually new how the Incapacity Benefit system actually worked.
Yes it is true that your GP gives you a sick note and maybe it covers some considerable time. However, once you have been claiming Incapacity Benefit for a long enough period, you are sent for an Incapacity Benefits medical.
If you satisfy the criteria, as laid down by the government, and are deemed to be unfit, you are then under the control of the Incapacity Benefits system and your GP no longer needs to issue sick notes as they control the length of time between medicals.

marky · 22-01-2006, 23:55

I thought the long term sick was assesed by Medical services (DWP)

Edit> Up there ^^^

23-01-2006, 00:25

depends on the condition/ailments of the patient involved.
In my sons case, we are waiting to hear what happens next, if anything, as we've been informed many times that people already on incap.ben will be untouched, only those newcomers will be tested more thoroughly, the long term claiments over two years will be left alone.
Personally, I hope the BMA issue guidlines to every GP informing them not to get involved, as I believe it breaks doctor/patiant confidentiality.

**Mick** · 23-01-2006, 00:47

This needs consideration all around because they say they want to encourage some of the long-term sick people back to work. But the first hurdle these people come across is that one question on most application forms:-

Have you been off work in the last three years due to sickness? If yes, please state the last time you was sick and for how long?

The first problem being here - How many employers would employ anyone who has been on long-term sick?

punky · 23-01-2006, 01:05

Hang on... If you are too sick to work, then shouldn't you get a sicknote regardless of the bonus scheme offered to your doctor?

And if doctors are writing too many sick notes when they shouldn't be... Wouldn't that deserve some kind of punishment, rather than just bribing them to do their job properly, which they should have been doing in the first place?

Just a thought.