It is not necessary to obtain a sick note (now called fit note) from a Doctor unless you have been absent from work for more than 5 days (i.e. one working week)
The first 5 days
For your first 5 days of sickness you can self-certify. This means you can either write a letter to your employer or, if you prefer, you can download a Statutory Sick Pay Form, or collect from the receptionist at the Practice. Complete the form and hand it to your employer.
After one week
You will need to see the Doctor to obtain a further certificate. If it is a continuing problem, you may be able to speak to a Doctor, preferably the one who saw you previously for the condition, and they may agree to issue a fit note without the need for you to be seen in person.
If you have not been seen by a doctor before for the current problem and it is not a continuing condition you will have to be seen by a Doctor in person at the surgery. This can be arranged either by a telephone consultation with your own Doctor or a routine appointment.
Back dating
It is routine policy for a fit note to be back dated so you do not need to be seen urgently or on the day that your fit note expires or is due to be issued. It can be issued at a later date and backdated at the doctor’s discretion to the required date. All fit notes will have an illness or relevant condition stated and a length of time the fit note is covering.
Private certificates
Insurance forms, private health care forms and other claim forms covering sickness can be completed by your doctor. Please hand the form in at reception where you will be advised of the charge and when it will be ready for collection. Please ensure you have completed all your parts of the form including the declaration before giving the form to the receptionist or the Doctor will not be able to complete your form. Please be aware it can take a number of weeks for the form to be completed by the Doctor.
