Copy of Consultation on Draft Statement -  Medical certification

Issuing medical certificates can be a challenging part of medical practice. Along with obligations to the patient and meeting legal requirements, doctors also have responsibilities to a receiving agency such as an employer or an insurer. Where the rights, interests and objectives differ between doctors, patients and the receiving agency, it can create conflict and disagreement.

 

Our statement on Medical certification is intended to outline the responsibilities of doctors when they complete a certificate. Our statement is often referred to by employers and other authorities. We aim to devise guidance that is clear and informative for these users, as well as for doctors.

 

While the draft statement contains similar guidance to the current statement, we have added new sections on ‘Disclosing a diagnosis,’ ‘Backdating a medical certificate,’ and ‘Fitness to drive,’ and attempted to make it easier to navigate. We welcome your input on our draft statement.