A top Bradford doctor has accused the Government of wanting GPs to provide a "cheap policing service" for sick-note phoneys instead of providing adequate occupational health services.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said he wants to see GPs issuing "well notes" setting out what a worker can do rather than automatically signing them off.

A medical test introduced in October alongside the new Employment and Support Allowance, will assess what an individual can do - rather than cannot do.

Everyone applying for the allowance will have to take the test and it is estimated half of them will not pass.

It will replace the current Personal Capability Assessment, which is weighted more towards a person's physical disability and bases itself around assessing people's incapability for work. GPs will be expected to offer patients advice about what they can do to get fit for work.

But Dr John Givans, joint chief executive of the Local Medical Committee for Bradford and Airedale and North Yorkshire, a body which represents local GPs, said the Government was looking for a "cheap" option in dealing with the problem.

He said: "Alan Johnson and the Government want GPs to provide a cheap policing service for dodgers. Some people may collect a sick note when they can go back to work. He wants a cheap option for that.

"He should provide occupational health services which can examine people who are having a sick note and whether they are fit or not, independently of GPs.

"We have been concerned about sick-notes for the last half century since the health service started. The GP is what we call a patient advocate and to look after their interests. To cast a judgement if they can work or not is contrary to the relationship of the patient."

Dr Givans added most GPs were not trained in occupational health and would not be aware of what duties an individual carried out on a daily basis. He said it would mean doctors suggesting workers do part of their job but not another without being fully aware of what an average day entails.

"Occupational health should look at a person who is off sick and they should assess what they can do and make arrangements for them to go back part-time or with limited duties," he said.

"We are there to help patients get better not to run into conflict with them."

Mr Johnson said firms had seen a reduction in sick leave by running advice sessions on how to manage problems, including mental health.

He said: "Ten years ago, we started the debate on work-life balance. Now the time has come to talk about work-health balance."

Employers should promote health and well-being in the workplace and Government must work with them to identify potential health risks and help people prevented from working because of ill health to get back into work, he added.

Department of Health figures show that people who are on incapacity benefit for one year are likely to stay there for eight. Once they have been there for two years or more, they are more likely to die or retire than work again. Latest figures show there are 22,150 people claiming incapacity benefit in Bradford.

It is estimated 175 million working days are lost to sickness each year at a cost of £13 billion.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here