The WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund, backed by £1.5m across 15 regions, will combat the practice of immediately writing people off with a fit note, and instead look to find other ways to help people back into work.

Workwell is expected to support up to 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions into work by Spring 2026 and forms part of this government's wider efforts to get the NHS back on its feet, reduce economic inactivity, and grow the economy by supporting more people into work and out of poverty as part of its Plan for Change.

This fresh approach addresses a critical challenge facing both patients and the NHS. Currently, of the 11 million fit notes issued electronically in primary care across England last year, 93% simply declared people "not fit for work" – offering no constructive alternative or support pathway.

The new funding will enable WorkWell sites - funded by the DWP and the DHSC - to connect patients to local support services to provide work and health advice to more patients receiving a fit note.

Patients will receive targeted and timely support to manage their health condition while exploring realistic options for staying in or returning to work, rather than facing a dead-end "not fit for work" declaration.

Interventions via the WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund could include:

• Hiring work and health coaches, social prescribers, or occupational therapists for GP teams to refer patients to for holistic support, help and advice, from gym memberships to career coaching
• Supporting and upskilling occupational therapists or physiotherapists to issue fit notes and improve the quality of work and health advice given to a patient
• Upskilling GPs and wider GP teams to improve their ability to support patients with local work and health advice.

Instead of GPs spending valuable consultation time on administrative fit note processes, WorkWell sites will use this funding to explore how specialist professionals like pharmacists and occupational therapists can provide comprehensive support that benefits patients, employers, and reduces pressure on primary care services.

Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: ‘It isn't just about freeing up GPs to treat patients rather than fill in forms. It's about fundamentally changing the conversation from ‘you can't' to ‘how can we help you?' When someone walks into their doctor's surgery worried about their job, they should walk out with a plan, not just a piece of paper that closes doors.

‘We can't afford to keep writing people off. Every person we help back into work isn't just transforming their own life – they're contributing to our communities, our economy, and breaking the cycle that's been holding Britain back. This is what building an NHS fit for the future through our Plan for Change looks like.'

Work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, added: ‘We know that good work is good for people's health and good for the economy too, but the current system is holding too many people back – denying many the dignity and self-respect this work brings.

'WorkWell is transforming lives by helping people stay in and get back to work, and this significant investment will help even more people unlock good jobs and boost living standards.'

Evidence from the pilot scheme will be used to inform DHSC's wider approach to work, health and skills, as this government gets Britain working through the Plan for Change, backed by an NHS fit for the future.