13th January 2022
The Change
From 17 December 2021 modified regulations increase the period that an employee is not required to provide medical information in respect of any spell of incapacity for work from 7 to 28 days.
The Impact
During the interim period:
- The GP fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work certificate) will not be required, expected, or provided for a period of absence less than 28 days.
- The relevant Self Certification form (provided at the link below) should be used to reflect any sickness absence less than 28 days.
The measure is intended to free up GP capacity to support the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme.
The Interim Duration: From 17 December 2021 – 26 January 2022 (incl.)
This took affect for any absence commencing from the 17 December 2021 or later up to and including the 26 January 2022. The new regulations also apply to spells of sickness which commenced prior to the regulations coming into force but which have not lasted more than seven days on that date e.g., 11 December 2021 (as the requirement to provide medical evidence will not have arisen at that point).
From 27 January 2022:
Any absence beyond 27 January 2022 will revert to the normal procedure requirements e.g., any continuous absence of more than 7 calendar days will again require a Statement of Fitness for Work certificate.
In response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant the regulations only apply for a short time to provide the necessary support to medical professionals.
The updated CCU67a form can be found below:
https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/self-certificate-form-ccu67a