Main phone number: 01754 897000

Email Address: licb.c83019@nhs.net

Lines open at 8am for appointments

MED3 (Fit Note)

It is not always necessary to see a Clinician when requesting a sick note. The information below should help you decide whether we can issue a sick note via a telephone message or whether you would need to make an appointment to see someone.

Statement of Fitness for Work

You do not require a sickness certificate to be issued by us for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or you can download it here. If your employer insists on a doctor’s certificate for the first seven days of an illness, despite the lack of legal requirement, then we can issue a private sick certificate for which a standard charge applies.

Evidence That You Are Sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay). In that case you will need to make an appointment to see a GP or CP for assessment.

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ from your doctor can be used as evidence that you are unwell/fit for some aspects of your role, and would normally be accepted.

You could also provide evidence from a hospital or someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist or a physiotherapist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ from your GP.

‘Fit Note’ (Statement of Fitness for Work)

On 6th April 2010, a new ‘fit note’ was introduced instead of the existing ‘sick note’. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury. The new fit note was called the Statement of Fitness for Work.

For more information see the Gov.UK website
 
Time Off After an Operation or Hospital Admission

If you are requesting a note for time off resulting from an operation or a hospital stay then, provided we have received a hospital letter or your doctor is aware of the problem (e.g. arranged your referral or admission), we should be able to issue a sick note without the need of an appointment. Reception staff will leave a message with the appropriate Clinician.

Extension of Current Fit Note

If you are requesting an extension for a current known problem then you will not necessarily need to see a Clinician and you can ask Reception to leave a message for your usual GP or CP who will either issue the note or request you make a follow-up appointment to discuss your condition further.

Date published: 8th October, 2014
Date last updated: 14th December, 2021