Fit/Sick Notes

Self Certification Fit Note for less than 7 days

If you're off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you've been ill. Instead they can ask you to confirm that you've been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.

If you have been ill for 7 days or less you don't need to see a Doctor. You can complete a Self Certification form yourself. Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If you employer doesn't have its own form you can complete the Self Certification Form online. 

Please fill in the form online, print this form and hand to your employer. You do not need to see a Doctor. 

Request a Fit/Sick note for more than 7 days

If you're off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a Fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a GP or hospital doctor. Fit notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or a Sick note.

You will require an initial appointment with a clinician, which can be completed via telephone, before a Fit Note is provided. If you have recently been discharged from hospital following an inpatient admission please ask your consultant for a Fit Note. 

Do not ask your GP for a fit note if you are off work because of COVID-19. Instead you can get an isolation note to send to your employer as proof you need to stay at home.

Request an extension to a Fit/Sick note

If you have already had a Fit note for this illness, your Doctor may not need to see you to issue an additional Sick note.

You will need to request an extension of your Fit note in writing, either by handing in your request to our surgery or emailing your request to the practice.  Your request will be processed within 48 working hours. 

If we are unable to issue you an extension to your Fit note, or if a further review is required, you may be contacted and advised to book an appointment with a Doctor to discuss.