Fit notes & Sick notes

Patients are able to self certify for the first 7 days of any illness, this means that you do not need to contact your GP Surgery for a sick note during this period.

If your employer is insisting on a note, please share the link below / further details can be found below and at: www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

Been Off Work?

You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC Website - (please discuss with your employer).

Sick certificates provided by our GP's after you have self certificated for 7 days, will normally have a 24 hour turnaround period (within our usual working hours). Our reception team will contact you to confirm when your certificate is ready for collection.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work – Fit Note

The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

Fit for work

Fit for Work is a resource that offers free, expert and impartial advice to anyone looking for help with issues around health and work. fitforwork.org