UK GPs have cautiously applauded an NHS England trial to take sick notes out of their hands.

In England, sick notes are called ‘fit notes’ and are only required if a worker has been off for seven days — yet 11 million were still written last year for a population of about 55 million.

But now, in two trials that began on 1 July, GPs have been banned from writing fit notes.

Instead, they must refer patients who request them to either a non-clinical social support service to examine occupational and social issues or a similar service with both clinical and non-clinical staff.