The government is looking at ways to support people with problems like mental health issues that mean they are often signed off by GPs when they could be treated and helped.
A “treat-them-first” approach will be introduced amid fears doctors under time pressures are diagnosing people “as being unfit for any work whatsoever” in nine out of 10 cases.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is drafting the reforms with Health Secretary Steve Barclay.
One option under consideration is ending the practice of GPs being the first point of contact for patients seeking a “fit note” that sets out their ability or inability to work.
Other medics or welfare officials could form a triage system under the options being considered. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced last week that he wants to reform the welfare system to stop shirkers who are capable of working but choose a life on benefits from exploiting the process.
He said welfare claimants who will not even look for work “do not deserve” the same payments as people trying hard to do the right thing.
GPs are currently asked to classify people as either unfit for work or fit for work with conditions, such limited hours or duties.
“GPs will absolutely still have a role, but exactly how that functions is something that is being discussed,” a source told the Telegraph.
Ministers are also considering other less radical options that would keep GPs involved but including referrals to a new work and health support service.
Last week, Mr Stride warned Tory members that only one per cent of 2.6 million people classed as “long-term sick and disabled” return to work.
He saidt: “You start by going to your GP, they give you on average seven minutes, they have a fit note where 93 percent of the time they will sign you off as being unfit for any work whatsoever.
A medical practitioner has therefore said you cannot work. “The other box, which is that under certain circumstances with adjustments you might be able to do something, only gets ticked 6 percent of the time.
“I want to change that. I want to change it such that the person that goes in who can be helped there and then goes into an arrangement where health support, plus work coach support, is brought together at that moment in time to make sure that they don’t proceed along that path.”
