Doctors Manitoba issues new guidance in bid to end sick notes

CTV News

8 hours ago

Doctors Manitoba has launched a campaign to call for the end of sick notes, saying the move would reduce unnecessary medical visits and free up care for those in need.
On Tuesday, the organization announced its 'Sick of Sick Notes' campaign, which includes guidance for employers, a new website, and a social media video.
As part of this guidance, Doctors Manitoba suggested that employers remove sick notes as a requirement, update contracts and employee handbooks, and implement alternatives to manage absenteeism. Additional guidance and resources will be added to the campaign's website in the future.
The organization noted that some employers, including Canada Life and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, have already eliminated sick note requirements for short-term illnesses, adding that ending the practice would free up more than 300,000 appointments per year at doctors' offices and emergency rooms.
'Many visits to get a sick note are actually medically unnecessary, with no symptoms to verify and no new medical care required,' said Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba.
'Those visits cost taxpayers about $8 million per year. In other words, we are all paying for sick notes, whether it's through our taxes or by waiting longer for the care that we need to seek.'
CTV News reported last year on a Doctors Manitoba report that called for major changes to the way sick notes are issued in the province, saying they are a waste of time. According to the report, over 600,000 sick notes are requested each year, which results in 36,000 hours of physician time.
Doctors Manitoba recently submitted recommendations to the provincial government, calling for regulatory changes.
'Manitoba is one of only two provinces in Canada that hasn't taken any legislative action to limit the use of sick notes,' Desilets said.
'We've consulted with hundreds of employers, and we've heard a strong, consistent message that is that they want to be on a level playing field.'
CTV News reached out to the province for more information.
• With files from CTV's Charles Lefebvre.