BRITs who are stuck in bed no longer have to drag themselves to the GP to get a sick note.
New rules – coming into effect today – mean nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can all legally write them down so that employees can sign off.
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Sick notes are needed to tell bosses why a person should have more than seven days off.
But previously, only GPs could sign them off, forcing people to go to their doctor for surgery.
It also means that applying for benefits can be made easier for those who are long-term enlisted and need cash assistance from the state.
The move will also provide assistance to anyone who needs a sick note to claim Universal Credit.
The change was made to ease the pressure on millions of doctors, who are already facing record-long waiting lists after Covid.
The new rules will apply in England, Scotland and Wales and will be reflected in Northern Ireland.
Health and Social Care Minister Sajid Javid said: “Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy is essential to ensure that more patients can see their GP quickly and receive the care they need, while we work to tackle the Covid backlog.”
He wants them to deliver 50 million additional appointments a year by 2024, but many doctors are stuck with paperwork and other red tape that gets them stuck.
It comes after the rules were relaxed in April, meaning they could be signed digitally instead of pen and paper.
Figures from April this year show a shocking 6.48 million people currently awaiting NHS treatment.
More than 300,000 of them have been watching the clock with anticipation for more than a year.
Mr Javid said this week there have been “completely unacceptable levels of concern” in some parts of the health service.
As well as changing the way Brits can get their hands on a sick note, the health minister has promised a “digital revolution” to speed up access to the NHS.
The NHS app will soon have a range of new features, including the ability to chat directly with a GP, manage hospital appointments and access records.
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