Quarter of sick notes 'suspicious'

The study by Norwich Union Healthcare found that doctors believed a quarter of the requests they received were questionable at best, and nearly one fifth of them were invalid.

Around 22 million sick notes are requested in the UK each year - an average of 577 for each GP. This meant that around nine million sick notes were 'bogus', according to Norwich Union Healthcare.

The "Health of the Nation Index" also revealed that twice as many men than women were prepared to cheat the system. Scottish patients received almost double the UK average sick note tally - 1,013 requests to a GP each year, while patients in East Anglia appeared the healthiest, with doctors receiving an average of just 286 sick note requests annually.

Many of the GPs thought the number of people on sick leave could be cut if it was not for delays in treatment or if employers arranged different roles for workers so they could return quicker.

Four out of 10 GPs questioned thought that more than a third of their patients who were unable to work could actually work a few hours a day or in a slightly different role.

Back pain and stress

Dr Ann Robinson, one of the GPs questioned, said: "GPs want to treat genuinely ill patients and don't want to act as policemen, identifying those who are claiming bogus sick notes.

"Employers need to be more flexible with their workforce and hospital services need to provide fast track diagnostic and treatment centres so people can get back to work as quickly as possible. It's well known that the longer you're off work, the harder it is to get back."

The most common causes for requesting sick notes were back pain, depression, workplace stress, other stress-related problems and flu.

Research among workers also revealed the most common reasons for seeking a 'bogus' sick note from GPs. The most frequent excuse was a "personal crisis" that the employee would not wish to share at work. This was followed by work simply getting too stressful.

Other reasons included a holiday request being refused or not wishing to use up holiday entitlement, fatigue or simply wanting a day off from work.

Long-term sickness guide

A recent poll of company finance directors recently revealed widespread distrust of doctor's sick notes. The survey for Accountancy Age magazine found that many believed GPs were giving in too easily to patients' demands.

Meanwhile, a new report this week claimed that long-term sickness absence is on the increase and that many firms feel ill equipped to help people return to work. The findings were revealed by a poll of 900 manufacturing companies by the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF).

On Monday the organisation published a new guide which it said would help firms improve attendance. Managers were urged to hold return to work interviews with people off sick and offer occupational health support.

Max Herd