How Do I . . .   Get a sick note

It is not necessary to obtain a sick note from a Doctor unless you have been absent from work for more than 7 calendar days ( i.e. one working week)

For your first 7 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 obtain from your employer. Complete the form and hand it to your employer. The form is called a Statutary Sick Pay Form or Employees Statement Of Sickness (form SC2).

If your employer insists on a medical certificate for these short periods, this will have to be on a private certificate basis, for which there will be a charge. We generally discourage this practice.

After one week

Once you have been off sick for more than 1 week you need to  discuss further certification with a doctor.

If you have been in Hospital a sick 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 attendance. In this instance 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 contact a doctor.

Back dating sick certificates

Although we cannot certify you for an illness for which you were not seen, there is some flexibility in terms of back-dating, as you may not have been able to get an appointment on the first day of absence beyond the 7 self-certified days. Similarly, if you have a long-standing illness, and have been unable to get an appointment on the day the note expired, this can again be back-dated at the Dr's discretion.

Private sickness claim forms

Insurance forms, private health care forms and other claim forms covering sickness can be completed by your doctor. As these are not provided on the NHS there will be a charge for them. The charges for each form vary depending on the amount of time they take to complete. The receptionist should be able to give you an estimate of the cost.

They should be left with the receptionist who will ring you when the form is ready to collect. Please ensure you have completed all your parts of the form including the declaration allowing medical details to be divulged, before giving the form to the receptionist or the Doctor will not be able to complete your form. Please be aware it will take up to 2 weeks for the form to be completed.