To request a fit note please complete an online form and select ‘I have an admin query’. Please give as much detail as you can.
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.
Please note a Sick or Fit Note can be backdated but not postdated. Emergency or urgent appointments should not be used to request Sick / Fit notes.
Self-Certificate
If you have been sick for more than four days in a row, but less than seven, you can self–certify your illness using a SC2 form. You can obtain this form from your employer or the HMRC website.
More than 7 days off sick
If you’re off work sick for more than 7 days your employer will normally ask for a Fit Note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from your GP or Hospital Doctor.
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.
Statement of Fitness for Work
The Doctor will provide you with a Statement of Fitness for Work (‘Fit Note’) if you are still not well enough to work. Your employer will most likely request this statement as evidence to support payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Further information is available at the Direct.Gov website.
When do I need a Fit Note?
The NHS Information website provides further details about Sick or Fit Notes.
Returning to Work
You can return to work at any point if you feel fit enough to do so, even if your fit note has not expired. Sometimes employees are asked to obtain a ‘return to work’ note but this is not available on the NHS. If your employer requires this they should arrange for you to have an occupational health assessment.
Private Certificates
If you or your employer require further information concerning your period(s) of illness , then your Doctor may require to issue you with a letter. Please note that a charge may apply for this service. Please check with our Reception Desk.