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Enable
A new NHS fit note service delivered by Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative (MBPCC) for patients registered with participating GP practices who require a fit note for work or to support a benefit claim.
Choose your pathway
About Enable
A new approach to fit notes and work-related health support
Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative has been selected by Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB to deliver one of four government pilots testing alternatives to the current fit note process.
What changes during the pilot?
Participating GP practices will refer patients to 'Enable' instead of issuing fit notes. The Enable team will assess what support is needed, develop a workability plan and certify sickness absence where appropriate.
Why is this pilot taking place?+
The current fit note system can record people as “not fit for work” without always providing practical support. The pilot is testing an earlier, more personalised approach that brings work and health support together for patients and helps employers understand what may support people to stay in or return to work.
- give patients earlier, personalised support based on their health, work and individual circumstances
- help employers understand practical adjustments that may support a safe and sustainable return to work
- reduce repeat fit note requests and create more time for GPs to focus on clinical care
Who can use Enable?+
The service is for patients registered with a participating GP practice who need a fit note either for work or to support a benefit claim.
Taking part will not affect benefits such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. Where a fit note is needed for a claim, Enable will provide it instead of the GP practice.
What happens after I am referred?+
A dedicated multidisciplinary work and health team will discuss how your health affects your work or benefit claim, identify useful support and agree the right next step with you.
GPs remain responsible for diagnosis, treatment, ongoing medical care and clinical input where needed.
What is a workability plan?+
A workability plan replaces the fit note during the pilot. It is developed with you and sets out:
- what you can currently do at work
- temporary adjustments that may help
- what you should avoid for now
- whether sickness absence is recommended
- when the plan should be reviewed
Who will see my plan?+
A copy will be added to your GP record. You may share the plan with your employer, or Enable can help explain recommended adjustments with your consent.
Detailed medical information, including diagnoses and treatment details, will not be shared. Only relevant information about how your health affects work will be included.
Do I have to involve my employer?+
No. Further employer contact only happens with your consent. Where helpful, Enable can support a three-way conversation between you, your employer and the practitioner.
Employers remain responsible for employment decisions and workplace policies.
Do I have to take part?+
No. Participation is voluntary and you can stop at any time. The service will not force you back to work before you are ready. If working is not appropriate, Enable can recommend and certify sickness absence.
Which GP practices are taking part?+
- Abbey Road Surgery / Risedale Surgery
- Atkinson Health Centre
- Bridgegate Medical Centre
- Burnett Edgar Medical Centre
- Duke Street Surgery
- Norwood Medical Centre
- The Family Practice
- Dr Murray & Partners
- Market Street Medical Practice
- Hoad Medical Practice
- Duddon Valley Medical Practice
If your GP practice is not part of the pilot, the current fit note process continues as normal.
Important Information
Enable privacy noticeEnable does not determine benefit entitlement and will not force anyone back to work.
Decisions are made with you, at your pace, and sickness absence can still be certified where appropriate.
This notice explains how MBPCC looks after your information when you take part in Enable. It sets out who your information may be shared with, how long it is kept and the rights you have over it.
Easy read privacy noticeThis version uses short sentences and pictures to explain the same information. It may be easier to follow if you would like a quicker read or prefer plain words.
Choose your pathway
Go straight to the information relevant to you
Each pathway takes you directly to the guidance, next steps and contact information you need.
For patients
I need a fit note for work or a benefit claim
Understand who Enable is for, when to self-certify, and what happens after your participating GP practice refers you.
View patient information →For GP practicesI need referral and pilot guidance
See the referral route, participating practice information and where future resources will sit.
View practice information →For employersI am supporting an employee
Learn how Enable can support return-to-work planning, adjustments and communication.
View employer information →Patient pathway
Fit note support tailored to your circumstances
You may be referred to Enable if you are registered with a participating GP practice and need a fit note after the first 7 calendar days of self-certification. This includes fit notes for work and fit notes needed to support a benefit claim.
01
Self-certify first
For the first 7 calendar days of illness, you should normally self-certify and do not need a fit note.
02
Speak to your GP practice
If you still require a fit note after 7 days, your participating GP practice can refer you to the Enable team.
03
Assessment and next steps
The Enable team will assess your circumstances, provide a fit note or certify sickness absence where appropriate, and offer personalised work and health support if helpful.
Your consent matters
Your employer will only be contacted where it is useful and you have agreed to it.
Practice pathway
Referral information in one clear place
This section is for participating practices. Eligible patients are those registered with a pilot practice who require a fit note after the usual self-certification period, including for employment or benefit purposes.
1
Identify
Identify patients who are registered with the participating practice and require a fit note, including those who need one for employment or to support a benefit claim.
2
Confirm eligibility
Confirm that the patient is registered with a participating pilot practice and requires a fit note after the self-certification period.
3
Refer
Use the approved referral pathway to refer the patient to Enable for assessment and fit note support.
Practice resources
Access the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and Agreement below. Practices can use this document when explaining the Enable pilot to patients referred to the service.
Download the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and Agreement to share with patients. It explains the pilot, how patient information will be used and what agreeing to participate involves. Please ensure patients have an opportunity to read and discuss it before signing, and receive a copy for their records.
Employer pathway
Practical support for a safe and sustainable return to work
Enable can help turn clinical guidance into practical workplace actions. Any employer involvement is proportionate, focused on the employee’s needs and only takes place with their consent.
Government guidance for employers
Agree useful adjustments
Consider practical temporary or longer-term changes to duties, hours, location or working arrangements.
Plan a sustainable return
Build a realistic phased return or stay-in-work plan that supports recovery and reduces avoidable setbacks.
Keep communication clear
Maintain focused, respectful communication with the employee and the Enable team where consent has been given.
Employee consent comes first
Enable will not contact an employer automatically. Engagement only happens where it is helpful and the employee has agreed to it.
Get in touch
The right next step depends on who you are
Use the route below so your enquiry reaches the right team quickly.
01
Patients
Self-certify for the first 7 calendar days. If you still need a fit note for work or to support a benefit claim, speak to your registered GP practice to check whether Enable is available.
Review patient information →02
GP practices
Use the practice pathway for referral information, pilot guidance and current service updates.
Review practice information →03
Employers
For professional enquiries about the pilot or employer engagement, contact MBPCC directly.