Please note – we cannot issue a fit note in advance. If you have had a fit note previously, please do not request a new one until your previous one has expired. This is because it is a certificate of your fitness to work at the time that the GP assesses you; for that reason, our system does not physically allow the GP to future-date a fit note. You can self certify your sickness for the first 7 days and do not require a fit note. Self certifications can be obtained online, from your employer or from the practice. A fit note will either state you are either not fit to work or you should be on lighter duties, fit notes are not required for you to go back to work.
We can either email a copy of your fit note or you can collect it from the practice. If you do not have an email address please call the surgery on 0345 337 6350.
Please use eConsult to request a sick note
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.
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.
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 public 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.
Private Certificates
If you or your employer require further information concerning your period(s) of illness , 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 team.
