Sick notes

What is it?

Although commonly referred to as a sick note, the official name of the document issued by doctors is a Statement of Fitness for Work, or Fit Note. The statement can say that you are unfit for work for a given period, or that you are fit for work subject to certain changes, such as lighter duties or different hours.  If your employer is unable to accommodate the recommended changes then the note is treated as saying you are unfit for work.

Off work due to illness for up to seven days

For the first seven days of illness you have to self–certify your illness using an SC2 form. You can obtain this form from your employer or the HMRC website. We are unable to issue sick notes for periods of illness of less than seven days. If your employer or child’s school insists on a doctor’s note then this will be a private service which we make a charge for. See further information below.

Off work due to illness for more than seven days

If you’re off work sick for more than seven days your employer may ask you for a Fit Note. The note can be obtained from a healthcare professional who is allowed to sign it. If you have been ill for more than seven days and require a sick note then please use our online request form or call reception.

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, we can issue any further sick notes, based on your hospital discharge letter.

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.

Return to work notes

You do not need to see us again to be signed fit to go back to work.

The fit note does not have an option to say that you’re fit for work. If we want to assess your fitness for work again, we will say this on your fit note.

Some employers have their own policies that require medical evidence that you are fit for work. If this is the case, your employer should help you arrange this privately with a healthcare professional or occupational health specialist. We cannot issue a fit note for this purpose.

Find our more on the NHS website

Private Certificates

If you need a note or certificate for periods of illness less than seven days then this is a private service and we charge for a private sick note. If your employer requests a report or further information about your illness then this is also a private service and the fee will depend on exactly what is requested. We will never give any information to your employer without your consent.