Statutory Sick Pay - Pilot study on electronically generated Med 3 medical statements

Written by Ian Congreave - Filed under: Sick Pay on July 14th, 2008

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UK flag The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is running a pilot study to assess the use of electronically generated medical statements (form Med 3) as an alternative to the handwritten version that is currently used.

The pilot study involves approximately 20 GP practices in Wales and only employers with employees registered at those practices will potentially be affected. These employers may receive electronically generated Med 3 forms from their employees between July and November this year and, as they are just as valid for SSP purposes as the handwritten ones, they should be processed in exactly the same way.

The pilot version of form Med 3 is very similar to the existing version:

it is printed on one side of an A4 sheet of paper
there is a 2D barcode next to the name and address of the doctor
information will have been typed onto the form rather than handwritten
the form will be signed by the employee’s GP
there are two versions of the pilot form, one in English and one in Welsh

The pilot study forms part of work that is currently under way on the medical evidence that is available to employers. It runs from July to November and will conclude with the publication of a report at the end of the year. Any further actions or developments will then be considered.

Further information:
Electronically generated form Med 3 medical statements
View the previous news item for Sick Pay

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Written by Ian Congreave - Payroll writer and lecturer

Filed under: Sick Pay on July 14th, 2008