Doctors are helping `sick' patients cheat employers, one business leader has blasted.

He said medics were handing out sick notes to patients without even seeing them, making it easier for malingerers to dodge work.

His claim was backed up by Employers Council head Malcolm Dixon who said companies had complained about the problem.

The store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "How easy is it to just call up a doctor and tell them you are sick? I have seen it on numerous occasions.

"As an employer I am paying for this. They are basically giving my staff a paid vacation.'' The employer wondered whether the insurance companies were being told the whole story about sick notes given without consultation.

He said: "I am sure the doctor puts that down as a visit. How many are claiming the insurance? It's about $50 to $60 to go to a doctor.

"Doctors have to be more responsible for their own actions. It's malpractice if they are giving sick notes without even seeing patients.

"How many doctors are doing this? I knew of at least two -- one has stopped after I told him I knew about it.'' Mr. Dixon said: "We get about 10 to 12 calls from employers a year about this. It's something we're aware of.

"It's a toss up whether we decide to pay up or not. Doctors should look at the problem.

"It would assist the employer if there was co-operation. We have met in the past with the Bermuda Medical Association.

"If it looks as though there is a pattern emerging and we start to get a considerable number of calls we will take it up with the appropriate body.'' He said unions took a responsible attitude to abuse of sick leave with clauses in their collective bargaining agreements to address the issue.

BPSA General Secretary Ed Ball who represents Government and white collar workers said the union's collective agreement addressed the problem as much as it could.

He said: "The problem lies with the doctors.

"There has been some vague talks with different physicians within the Bermuda Medical Association but not the executive.

"There are procedures for any employer if they feel physicians are not following the proper procedure.

"Under our agreement an employer can ask for an employee to see the company doctor or in the case of Government workers they can see the Chief Medical Officer. There is a provision for malingerers.

"If there is a lot of suspected malingerers all going to the same doctor foul play will be suspected.'' Dr. Burton Butterfield, President of the Bermuda Medical Association, said the practice of giving out sick notes without consultations was something he didn't condone.

He said: "I don't do that unless I have seen them. Sometimes I might write extensions if I have already seen them and they are not any better.

"I don't just let anyone call up and get a sick note but I can't account for what other doctors are doing.

"It's an individual thing. If people have a complaint about any particular doctor they can always write to the Medical Society or the Medical Association.'' Bermuda Medical Society President Dr. Andrew West said: "This is always a very difficult problem. But I think if someone is sick they should see a doctor.'' He said some employers paid up to three weeks sick leave which meant that some employees felt it was their right to take it all.

He said: "A lot of people think `I haven't had my sick leave for the year yet'.'' "I remember one patient saying that I had a reputation for not giving sick notes. I said `Well, good'!'' BUSINESS BUC