15% of GPs often see patients who have been dismissed from their job during an illness

Britain's family doctors routinely see patients who have been dismissed from their job during an illness. The new findings, in research conducted by Comres on behalf of Legal & General, show how some employers are struggling to manage workplace ill health and absence.

The survey also shows that:

• 50% of GPs saw patients who have been dismissed from their job during an illness a few times a year

• In the North East 5% of GPs reported seeing patients every week who had been dismissed from their job during an illness

• In five regions, more than half of GPs had seen patients in these circumstances a few times a year: 52% in the North West; 53% in the West Midlands; 56% in the South Central; 50% in Scotland and 54% in Wales.

Income protection insurance news: 21 April 2011