Great Southern GP Network CEO Suzanne Leavesley said GPs were aware this flu season had been harder on businesses, especially small enterprise, with the addition of swine flu cases keeping people away from work.

But she asked for flexibility in terms of medical certificate demands.

“GPs are business people too, and are experiencing their own staff shortages as the flu season rolls on this winter,” Mrs Leavesley said.

“This means fewer staff available to see a large number of patients, and taking up time with sick certificates limits that time even more.”

Mrs Leavesley said the circumstances this winter were ‘exceptional’ and the community needed to work together.

“Practices are trying to be adaptable as well, some are using their practice nurses to assess patients, but they are not able to perform all the same tasks as a GP,” she said.

It is important that employers and their staff know that GPs are not legally able to backdate medical certificates, she said.

Mrs Leavesley encouraged employers to consider other options to medical certificates, like statutory declarations or a statement of attendance from a flu clinic as an alternative, as certificates could not be backdated.

She said a further issue is keeping flu patients segregated from other unwell people so the virus does not spread.

“This is particularly an issue for patients with underlying medical conditions,” Mrs Leavesley said.

“If you are suffering from flu symptoms please contact the practice first to let them know and find out what protocol they have in place for flu patients.

“These protocols are in place to limit the virus spread.”