For someone who is suffering with mental health since I was a young teen to then be diagnosed at 18 it’s difficult and a struggle to even go anywhere never mind go to the doctors to get a sick note. I wish that the government would take mental health more serious.
I work within the NHS and the stress and work load we all go through sometimes can be too much and we all rely on fit notes from time to time as the job is so demanding and emotionally hard I believe this is a terrible idea, I myself struggle with depression although I've only been signed off once with depression, I couldn't bare to think about the lengths people may go if this comes into force.
My health has been very tough for 19 years and without sick notes especially when I first got unwell life would have been very difficult. Getting letters from specialists is near impossible and GP letters are vital in supporting patients especially as many have a closer relationship with there patients. Please do not end sick notes from GPs
When I was disabled in a car crash, Jan 18th 2013 and needed the time off from work gaining GP sick notes gave me that official statement to be able to have the time off, without being bullied into returning to work too soon. It enabled me to gain benefits instead of being forced to work when I was not well enough.
Suffering from hypothyroidism, depression and anxiety is one symptom of many, can be hard but to throw in the mix PTSD and anxiety disorder is challenging at the best of times, at the worst points of depression, PTSD and anxiety, those days are extremely hard to deal with and cope. Stripping sick/fit notes from those who truly need it will only make those with mental health issues a whole lot worse..
What happens when the justice process itself becomes inadequate to ensure that justice is reasonably done and is biased to the side with the greater capability. How can normal, let alone disabled individuals or whistleblowers be reasonably expected to compete against substantial organisations with a raft of high quality legal resources?
Justice clearly should not be reserved only for those with the significant capabilities and resources required to essentially ensure a favourable outcome for them, at the expense of the less fortunate and thereby society in general. This is precisely how many significant as well as perhaps many less significant scandals have occurred that are often initially too small to notice, which are left and often later develop to become huge scandals e.g. Blood, Post Office, Windrush, Met Police, NHS, Thames Water, etc.