Guidance

Fit notes: the collection of anonymous data in England

Information for GPs and patients on how we collect and publish data about fit notes issued in England.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 16 December 2015
• Last updated: 12 October 2018 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

GP information: how anonymous fit note data is collected and published

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Patient information: how anonymous fit note data is collected and published

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Details

Fit notes, also known as a ‘Statement of fitness for work’ or a ‘Med3 form’, were introduced in April 2010. Doctors issue fit notes to people as a record of the advice they have given them about their fitness for work.

We started to collect anonymous data on fit notes issued in England in March 2017. The data was first published in August 2017 and is now published on a quarterly basis every January, April, July and October on the NHS Digital website.

The documents on this page explain:

• why we collect the data
• what we collect
• how we collect it
• how we deal with it

Published 16 December 2015
Last updated 12 October 2018 + show all updates

1. 12 October 2018

   Various updates to the information for GPs and patients. Added links to where the anonymous data is published on the NHS Digital website.

2. 16 December 2015

   First published.