If you are off work due to a Hospital admission, a Sick Note can be issued by the Hospital to cover the period of time you were in the Hospital. Once discharged, your GP can issue a Sick Note, based on your Hospital discharge letter. If you think this is your situation, our Reception Team will assist you.
Online Request Form
Please note a Sick or Fit Note can be backdated; please discuss this when you see your GP. Emergency or urgent appointments should not be used to request Sick or Fit notes.
Self-Certificate
If you have been sick for more than four days in a row, but less than seven, you can self–certify your illness using a SC2 form. You can obtain this form from your employer or by visiting the HMRC website. If you are unwell for more than four days you are advised to arrange an appointment to see a Doctor to assess your fitness to work.
More than seven days off sick
If you’re off work sick for more than seven days your employer will normally ask for a Fit Note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from your GP or Hospital Doctor.
After the first 7 days, you will need a sick note from your GP. If necessary, this can be backdated to ensure continuity of sickness absence so an immediate appointment is not necessary.
When you know the date you are returning to work, we can often give you a ‘starting back’ note (also known as a ‘fit’ note or ‘return to work’ note) on request.
If you want to see your doctor solely to extend a sick note, please check with the receptionist whether an appointment is necessary.
How to count sick days
When you work out the number of days that you’ve been sick, you need to count all the days in a row you’ve been sick, including days you don’t normally work such as weekends and bank holidays.
Statement of Fitness for Work
The Doctor will provide you with a Statement of Fitness for Work (‘Fit Note’) if you are still not well enough to work. Your employer will most likely request this statement as evidence to support payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Further information is available at the Direct.Gov website.
When do I need a Fit Note?
The NHS Information website provides further details about Sick or Fit Notes.
Fit for Work
Fit for Work can help supplement the advice an employee receives from their employer’s occupational health provider or through their own private insurance. It can also be used to supplement employers’ sickness absence policies and procedures. Fit for Work offers free, expert and impartial advice to anyone looking for help with issues around health and work. You can browse our online resources, chat online to a specialist advisor, email a question or call our free advice line on 0800 032 6235.
Private Certificates
If you or your employer require further information concerning your period(s) of illness , or you require a note to confirm sickness within 7 days, then your Doctor may require to issue you with a letter. Please note that a charge may apply for this service. Please check with our Reception Desk.
