From July 2022, fit notes can be certified and issued by nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists, as well as doctors, and no longer require to be signed.
Sick notes can only be issued when they are due, although they can be back dated they cannot be future dated. Please do not request emergency appointments for a Sick/Fit Note.
Sick (fit) notes
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
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.
To request a sick note you can:
- Send us an admin query using the NHS App
- fill out our Our Online Form
- phone or visit the surgery from 10am to 6pm
By law we can only backdate a note to the first time you were consulted.
More information about Fit Notes
Fit notes are also known as a Med 3 form and also sometimes called doctor’s notes, sick notes, medical certificates or doctor’s statements.
If this is the first time you are requesting a fit note then you will need to book a routine appointment with a GP so we can consult on the issue and plan your health care.
If you have not seen a doctor at the practice and we have had no information from a medical professional about your illness, you will not be able to get a certificate without an appointment.
If you are under the care of a hospital, your certificate may be issued by the hospital, rather than by the practice.
What happens after I complete a request
All admin requests are reviewed an responded to within 2 working days.
After you complete a Fit note request the GP can either say you are not fit for work, or say that you may be fit for work.
Not Fit for work
If you are not well enough to work the Doctor will provide you with a Statement of Fitness for Work (‘Fit Note’). Your employer will most likely request this statement as evidence to support payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
More Information about Statutory Sick Pay
May be fit for work
A Fit Note can provide advice to help you return to work. This is because work can play an important part in helping people to recover from illness on injury.
The GP may choose the option for ‘may be fit to work’ if they think that returning to work with support from your employer will help you.
There is also space for the GP to advise your employer about the impact of your illness or injury and suggest ways in which your employer can help you return to work by allowing you to work part time or temporarily changing your duties, for example if you have back pain, avoiding heavy lifting.
Charges for Fit Notes
There is usually no charge for providing a fit note if you are off sick for more than seven days.
Some employers may request a fit note even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a chargeable service known as a Private medical certificate. Ask at reception or see Non-NHS Chargeable Services for pricing details.
Self Certificate – If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
If you have been sick for more than three days in a row, but less than seven, you can self–certify your illness using a SC2 form.
Self-certification forms usually include details such as:
- information about your sickness or illness
- the date your sickness started
- the date your sickness ended
You can obtain this form from your employer or the HMRC website.
If you are unwell for more than four days you are advised to contact the surgery to assess your fitness to work.
If your employer requests a certificate for less than 7 days from the GP, please advise them of your legal rights in relation to this. More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave.
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.
Private Certificates
If you or your employer requires further information concerning your period of illness, then you can request a private certificate or letter at reception. Please note that a charge may apply for this service. Non-NHS Chargeable Services.
If you require an extension to your existing sick note
If you require an extension to a fit note which we have already given you, but do not need to discuss anything else, please do not book a GP appointment. Please complete Our Online Form or ask reception.
Fit notes can be back-dated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate.
We do not issue extensions to fit notes in advance of the original fit note expiring, however if you are concerned please call and speak to a receptionist who can advise you further.
Unable to use the NHS APP or Our Online Form
If you are unable to use the NHS App or our online form then you can request a sick note using the webform below.
Sick/Fit Note request form
Please complete this form to tell us about your illness and we will direct you to the most appropriate form or service.
Hospital Admissions
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.
When do I need a Fit Note?
The NHS Information website provides further details about Sick or Fit Notes.
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 / Fit notes.