Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending her Department's Statement of Fitness for Work Med 3 form so that a GP of a sick or disabled benefit claimant could be asked directly if there would be a substantial risk of harm if that claimant was found fit for work following a work capability assessment.

The Statement of Fitness for Work form (Med 3) or ‘fit note’ is issued for Statutory Sick Pay or Social Security purposes. Registered Medical Practitioners record their assessment of whether their patient is ‘not fit’ or ‘may be fit’ for work if their medical condition or illness impacts on their ability to work. There is no difference in the way the form is completed for Statutory Sick Pay or to support a claim to health related benefits.

Part of the role of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) decision maker is to decide whether finding the claimant fit for work or Work Related Activity would trigger substantial risk of harm. In making their decision, they consider the advice from the healthcare professional (HCP) who carried out the assessment, as well as any evidence provided by the claimant’s GP or any other supporting professional. It is important to note that while the GPs’ primary role is to diagnose and treat their patients, the role of the HCP is to assess the effects of a claimant’s illness on their ability to perform everyday work-related activities.