If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
To request a sick note:
- Contact us via our Online GP Service – Patchs
- Complete an online Sick Note Request Form
- Phone us on 01376 553415
- Visit the surgery from 10am to 6pm
When your Sick (fit) Note runs out:
Please request your new certificate online or by phone and allow 5 working days. The surgery will contact you if a follow up appointment with the doctor is needed before the certificate can be issued.
Fit certificates can be back-dated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate. If you attend an emergency appointment for the purpose of getting a medical certificate you will be asked to rebook.
If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
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. We call this self-certification.
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.
When you need a certificate will also depend on your employer’s company policy on sick leave (or sickness absence). This policy should tell you how many days you can be off sick before you need a note.
To find out about your employer’s policy:
- Ask your team leader or supervisor
- Speak to someone from your human resources (HR) or personnel department
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 (e.g. from employees who repeatedly take time off sick) even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a private non-NHS medical certificate.
For sickness of seven days or less, a charge of £20 is payable in order for us to provide a certificate.