Sick (Fit/Med3) notes

Self Certificates

Self-Certificates

If you have been sick for more than four days in a row, but less than seven, you can self–certify your illness using a SC2 form. You can obtain this form from your employer or the HMRC website. If you are unwell for more than four days you are advised to contact the surgery to assess your fitness to work.

If you are off work for less than seven days, you are responsible for your own self-certification on form SC1 (available from reception or any post office).

Click to download a Self Certificate Form

How to Request a Fit Note (over 7 days)

If you are off work due to a Hospital admission, a Sick Note can be issued by the Hospital to cover the period of time you were in the Hospital. Once discharged, your GP can issue a Sick Note, based on your Hospital discharge letter. Please use our online consultation system to request fit notes.

Please submit an Online Request

Please note a Sick or Fit Note can be backdated but cannot be future dated; please discuss this when you see your GP.

Important: Important

Emergency appointments will not be booked to request fit notes

Emergency appointments are reserved for urgent health concerns that require immediate clinical care. A fit note is not classed as an emergency, so it does not require a same‑day appointment. If you need a fit note, please submit an online consultation or book a routine appointment. This helps us prioritise patients with urgent medical needs while still ensuring you receive your documentation in good time. We kindly ask for your understanding when our staff follow this policy.

If there's a delay getting a fit note

If there’s a delay getting a fit note, the employee should contact their employer to explain:

why there’s a delay – for example, difficulty booking a doctor’s appointment
when their employer will get the fit note

An employer should only ask their employee for a medical fit note from the 7th day of absence. A healthcare professional might refuse to provide a fit note before the 7th day.

Employers are legally bound to accept self certificates. Some, however, still insist on a doctor’s certificate during the first seven days of absence, in which case you will need to request a private certificate. A fee of £20 will be charged as this is carried out as non-NHS work. Your employer may reimburse you.

We have included a link below regarding guidance for patients and employees. Please contact your employer to discuss anything that you think would help you stay in, or return to, work with your employer, for example; arranging for an occupational health assessment, changing duties or location, phased return to work, working from home or additional training.

Fit Note Guide for Employers and Employees Gov.UK