Doctors should treat the sick not police the benefits system - Lamb

Commenting ahead of Alan Johnson's speech today in which he will set out plans to change Britain's 'sick note culture' into a 'well note culture', Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:

"This serious issue deserves a more sophisticated approach, but we should be wary of moving to a system where doctors find themselves policing the benefits system rather than treating the sick.

"If Alan Johnson is serious about helping the large number of people on long term sick leave back to work, he should focus on providing better access to effective treatment for the huge numbers of people on incapacity benefit with mental health problems."