DORSET doctors signed half the number of fit notes last year compared with previous years.

People in work need a fit note, previously called a sick note, if they are off work for more than seven days. Up to that point they can self-certify that they are unwell.

Across the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group area, GPs issued a total of 13,946 between April 2017 and March this year, or 38 notes a day on average.

However this compares with 26,644 fit notes issued between 2016/17 and 27,093 issued between 2015/16, according to NHS figures.

Dorset CCG said a chance in Government guidance was responsible for the difference.

Head of primary care Rob Payne said: "Guidance states that hospital doctors should now issue a fit note for the full period of a person’s sickness, whereas in the past they may have been issued for a shorter, set time (e.g. two months); requiring additional notes to be issued by an individual’s GP during a given period.

"This guidance prevents unnecessary appointments, saving time for both patients and GPs."

Despite being called fit notes, most of those issued classify people as unfit for work. This was the case for 94 per cent of the notes.

However, fit notes are also used to advise patients and their employers on getting back to work.

This includes recommendations for an employee to make a phased return or work reduced hours or with limited duties.

The most common reasons that doctors signed people off work were mental and behavioural disorders, particularly stress, and back problems.

Women were signed off sick more than men. They received 57 per cent of the fit notes across England in the 12 months prior to March this year.

Across England, 5.3 million fit notes were handed out in 2017/18.

Last month it was revealed that 2,901 working days were lost at Dorset CCG last year as a result of staff calling in sick themselves, again chiefly due to anxiety, stress and back pain.

The overall absence rate for the CCG during 2017/18 was 4.17 per cent, up from 3.17 per cent in 2016/17.

The figure was significantly above the national target of 3 per cent and the national average of 4.07 per cent.