Sick Notes, Fit Notes and Self-Certification

Please read this before contacting the surgery

If you are off work sick for 7 consecutive calendar days or less, you must self-certify. This includes weekends and bank holidays.

👉 You do NOT need a GP sick note for the first 7 days

Self-Certification (First 7 Days)

If you are off sick for 7 days or less, you must complete a self-certification form yourself.

Your employer may ask for this when you return to work.

👉 Complete your self-certification here:
Self-certify your sickness (SC2 form)

❗ Please do not contact the surgery for a sick note during this period
We are unable to provide medical certificates for the first 7 days.

Fit Notes (After 7 Days)

A fit note (sometimes called a sick note) is only required if:

• You have been off work for more than 7 consecutive days

A fit note will state:

• Not fit for work, or
• May be fit for work (with adjustments)

When to Contact the Surgery

Only contact us for a fit note if:

• You have already been off sick for more than 7 days, and
• You require medical evidence for your employer

Hospital / Secondary Care Sick Notes

If you have been seen in hospital or by a specialist (consultant):

👉 They are responsible for providing your sick note

This includes:

• After hospital admission
• After surgery or procedures
• Following outpatient appointments where time off work is required

❗ Please request your fit note directly from the hospital team or consultant

GPs should not be asked to issue sick notes for hospital care, as:

• The hospital clinician is responsible for that episode of care
• They are best placed to assess how long you need off work

Returning to Work

There is no such thing as a “fit to return to work note”.

👉 If you feel well enough to return to work, you can return.

If your employer asks for confirmation that you are fit to return:

• This is not GP work
• Your employer must arrange this through Occupational Health, at their own cost

Private Sick Notes

We do not provide private sick notes or letters for work purposes.

This includes:

• Notes for short-term illness (under 7 days)
• “Fit to return to work” letters
• Employer-specific forms or certificates

This is because:

• These requests fall outside NHS-funded services
• We are focused on delivering core NHS care due to workload and capacity pressures

If your employer requires additional information, they should arrange an Occupational Health assessment.

Key Points

• ✅ 0–7 days off work: You must self-certify
• ✅ 8+ days off work: You may need a fit note
• ❌ No GP “return to work” notes
• ❌ No private sick notes provided by the practice
• ❌ Do not contact the surgery for the first 7 days of illness
• ❗ Hospital teams must provide sick notes for hospital-related care

If you would like to request a fit note and you have been off for more than 7 consecutive days, please complete a request via our Paco DFD below, and select “Admin Requests” -> “I need a sick (FIT) note”.