GP fit notes
If you’ve been off work sick for several days, then you may need to show your employer a fit note (also known as an NHS sick note) from your GP to confirm that you’ve been ill and that you’re able to return to work. You can request a GP fit note using our online system. Find out more below.
How to get a fit note
You can request a fit note from your GP using the link below to complete a form. Once you have completed the form, your GP will get in contact to either issue a fit note to say that you’re fit to work or book an appointment to see you face-to-face. This depends on your illness and whether you’ve been in hospital.
At the appointment, your GP will assess you and give you medical advice. Based on your appointment, they will be able to tell if you are fit for work but might need to make some possible changes, or if you are not fit for work. You can use the link below to request a fit note from your GP.
When do you need a fit note
The first 5 days
It is not necessary to obtain a sick note (“fit note”) from a Doctor unless you have been absent from work for more than 5 days (i.e. one working week). For your first 5 days of sickness you can self-certify.
This means you can either write a letter to your employer or, if you prefer, there is a form you can collect from your employer or the Benefits Agency. Complete the form and hand it to your employer. The form is called a Statutory Sick Pay Form – Employee’s Statement Of Sickness (form SC2). You can download the SC2 form by clicking here.
More than seven days off sick
Once you have been off sick for more than 1 week you can obtain a sick note (“fit note”) from your Doctor.
This can often be done by a telephone consultation with your own Doctor who may be able to issue a certificate without you needing to be seen. Or if it is a continuing problem, a telephone consultation from the Doctor who saw you previously for the condition, again there may be no need for you to be seen in person.
If you have been in Hospital a sick note (“fit note”) can either be issued by the Hospital Doctor or by a telephone consultation with your own Doctor who will have been informed by the Hospital of your visit. It is not normally necessary for the Doctor to see you in person.
If you have not been seen by a Doctor before for the current problem and it is not a continuing condition it may be necessary for you to be seen by a Doctor in person at the surgery.
Back dating
It is possible for a sick note (“fit note”) to be back dated so you do not need to be seen urgently or on the day that your sick note expires.
Further information
You can find more information about fit notes on the NHS website.