The AHP Health and Work Report
The AHP Health and Work Report is an A4 form which provides an employee, their employer and GP with information which may be used to help keep that employee in work if possible or be signed off, usually for a specified length of time while recovering from injury, illness or a procedure.
The AHP Health and Work Report is appropriate for a physical or mental health work-related issue to help employers and GPs to understand practical modifications that may help an individual remain engaged with or return to work. It is designed to be clearly recognisable and easily read, with contact details for employers to follow up recommendations with practitioners if necessary.
Why was the AHP Health and Work Report developed?
Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) were keen to establish their role as potential alternative signatories for fit notes currently signed by GPs and consultants. Following agreement by the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF) it was agreed that a group of representatives would be established to develop the AHP Health and Work Report.
The AHP Health and Work Report would be for use by AHPs in all four nations to establish the AHP expertise in assisting individuals to return or remain in work that would be recognised by employers and GPs.
Who developed it?
In the original call out to all the AHP groups for designing the AHP Health and Work Report, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP),the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and The College of Podiatry signed up.
They worked together, with their specialist occupational health members/specialist interest groups, to develop the AHP Health and Work Report in consultation with the Department of Health (DH) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Prior to 2019 the tool was called the Allied Health Professions Advisory Fitness for Work Report but was re-named the AHP Health and Work Report.