SICKNESS CERTIFICATES

Obtain a Fitness for Work note

The DWP has issued strict guidelines for doctors to follow when issuing Fitness for Work notes (formerly known as ‘sick notes’).

If the illness is:

• Less than 3 days: your employer should not require a Fitness for Work note
• Between 3 and 7 days: you should hand your employer a "self certificate" (SC1). You do not need to see the doctor for this
• More than 7 days: You will need a Fitness for Work note and must see the doctor to get one. It is only at 7 days that you need a doctors’ note. If you require a note covering illness when you saw a different doctor (e.g. casualty) the doctor at the surgery must be in receipt of written evidence that you saw another doctor.

Fitness for Work notes needed before 7 days illness will incur a charge that should be borne by your employer.

Please visit the Department for Work and Pensions website for more information.

Our surgeries ofer scheduled clinics for review of sick note requests. The receptionist will ask some questions and a contact telephone number for the clinician to call you.