Sick notes over the phone

WITH two minutes and $20, Victorians can call it a day and head home with Absence From Work certificates for sale at Australian pharmacies.

The notes, provided for personal or carer’s leave, can even be issued over the phone at the pharmacist’s discretion.

The Australian Medical Association has warned the practice will lead to worse outcomes for patients.

“Wandering into a pharmacy and being issued a certificate without history or examination is very concerning,” Victorian president associate professor Julian Rait said.

AMA treasurer and Brunswick GP Michael Levick said pharmacists were not qualified to see people for medical diagnoses and serious health issues could be missed.

“They are very well trained in medication management, but they are not well trained in medical management,” Dr Levick said.

“Encouraging people with medical problems to see nonmedically trained people is not good.”

He said it also meant patients would not get the added benefit of incidental care provided when they visited their GP for a medical certificate.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia rebuked the claims, calling the certificates convenient for workers who could not make a GP appointment.

“Perceived fears of fragmentation of care do not excuse delays in care or potential lack of access to care,” Victorian president Anthony Tassone said.

“Pharmacists, as a trusted medicine and health expert in the community, are well placed to provide advice around minor illness or ailments that may stop someone being able to attend work but may not be serious enough to require a visit to a doctor or other health professional.”

The certificates are legal under the Fair Work Act 2009 and are available at chains including Chemist Warehouse and MyChemist for $20.

While Pharmacy Guild guidelines encourage pharmacists to conduct face-to-face consultation, they can also do them over the phone.

A Department of Jobs and Small Business spokesman said employers could legally request evidence of an illness.

“While there are no strict rules on what type of evidence needs to be given, the evidence has to convince a reasonable person that the employee was genuinely entitled to the sick leave,” the spokesman said.

“A certificate from a registered health practitioner, such as a pharmacist, may also be considered reasonable in relevant circumstances.”