NSW: Patients to sign declaration of honesty on sick notes

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-1999
NSW: Patients to sign declaration of honesty on sick notes

Patients will have to sign a declaration of honesty on work sick leave forms following the
introduction of new doctors' certificates in New South Wales.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reports that patients who ask for a medical certificate after
an illness will have to sign the declaration saying they are being honest about their
symptoms,

The certificates are designed to reduce the $7 billion in annual costs in sickie frauds,
protect general practitioners and put the onus on the patients to be honest.

Australian Medical Association president Dr DAVID BRAND says the certificate has been
developed in response to reports that seven out of ten doctors issue sick notes without
evidence of illness.

Victorian doctors are already using the certificates.

AAP RTV knr/pa

KEYWORD: NOTES (SYDNEY)

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