by Gary Rogers, data reporter

Doctors in Kent sign 693 fit notes, on average, every day according to the latest NHS figures.

GPs working for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the county issued a total of 253,052 notes between July 2017 and June this year.

West Kent CCG had the highest number of notes issued with 139 and Swale had the fewest with 51.

But the rules are to be changed to allow other health workers to sign people off sick, reducing the workload faced by doctors.

The Department for Work and Pensions says that it will legislate to allow other health professionals to certify people as unable to work.

The move has been welcomed by doctors' leaders, who say it will ease the pressure on GPs.

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 England, 5.7 million fit notes were handed out over the 12 months to the end of June.

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "We want to reduce the burden on GPs and that’s why we intend to legislate for the extension of fit note certification to other healthcare professionals. We will work with the NHS on this.”

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is vital that a robust system is in place to ensure people are fit for work, and if they are not, then they have ready access to the appropriate care and services to improve their quality of life.

"At a time when our workload in general practice is escalating in both volume and complexity – and when patients are waiting longer and longer for appointments – we would certainly welcome exploring whether other highly-skilled clinical members of the practice team can share some of these responsibilities."

The British Medical Association said that if another health professional, such as a physiotherapist, was treating a patient, they should be able to certify fitness for work rather than additionally involving a doctor.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the BMA GP committee, said: “At a time when admin has become increasingly burdensome in general practice, compounding existing workload issues, it makes perfect sense for the healthcare professional seeing the patient to issue fit notes where needed, removing the added layer of bureaucracy involved in getting it signed off by an individual GP.

“It is vital that a robust system is in place to ensure people are fit for work..." Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard

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

Of the 253,052 notes signed over the 12 months in Kent, 16% were given for mental health issues and 9% for back problems.

Despite being called fit notes, 94% of notes handed out across the country were for those classified as unfit for work.

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.

Women were signed off sick more than men. They received 57% of the fit notes across England in the 12 months.