Sickness Certificates
A sickness certificate (also known as a fit note/MED3) is a medical document that confirms you are unable to work due to illness or injury. It provides information to your employer about your absence and may be required to support your claim for statutory sick pay.
Rules Regarding Sickness Certificates:
- GPs can only issue certificates for illnesses or injuries that they have diagnosed and treated. This means we cannot provide certificates for:
- Illnesses we were unaware of.
- Illnesses you did not consult us about.
- Maximum Length: The length of your sick certificate will be determined after careful discussion with a medical professional.
If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
If you’re off work due to sickness for 7 days or less, your employer generally does not require a medical certificate. Instead, you may be asked to self-certify your absence. This typically involves filling in a simple form confirming that you were indeed ill during your absence.
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
To request a sick note:
- send an online message
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.
Following specialist treatment or surgical intervention, your consultant or specialist should always provide your initial sickness certificate. It is their responsibility to certify your absence from work following their treatment or procedure. If your consultant advises you to contact your GP for a sickness certificate after discharge, please politely but firmly challenge this. We are happy to provide any necessary extensions to your sickness certificate following your initial period of absence.