Would anyone have the same difficulties as I seem to be having, with the lack of written information coming from A&E / GP visits relating to cases arising. We seem to be continually making incident classification decisions on our cases with no medical information in writing. It means that we need to be very careful in how we record our own detailed interviews with IP's as we [reference removed] are not medical professionals. Of course, we could contract in private doctors but company budget constraints are an issue here. The cases are relatively minor, usually first aid. But when there is nothing in writing from medical professionals, companies may record a first aid (the only report being from the in-house first aid book) when in fact they could be left open to scrutiny later. Any thoughts appreciated.

Ok, thanks. Understood. It's perhaps a question though - are there any protocols that exist within the NHS where, with the right controls, a 'fit note' type of written document could be requested quickly , even from A&E. So, could you tell me, do your company HSE procedures remain flexible in terms of whether written (medical professionals) information or alternatively 'in-house' recorded memos are used to determine cases? The reason I ask is because my own company's procedures are interpreted as strictly requiring written information from a medical professional for where first aids escalate into, say, restricted work cases (RWC). This would make the reporting of a RWC problematic to confidently record quickly when no written medical information is available.

I know that 'Healthy Working Lives' published some helpful booklets on the change from Sick Note to Fit Note. If there is a more detailed history of the change or other more detailed information, that would be appreciated. Having said that, this string is otherwise satisfactorily answered, thanks.