Sick certificates

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

To request a sick note:

If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less

If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification.

Complete a self-certification SC2 sick(fit) note here

More information about Fit notes

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.

Fit notes are also known as a Med 3 form and also sometimes called doctor’s notes, sick notes, medical certificates or doctor’s statements.

If this is the first time you are requesting a fit note then you will need to book a routine appointment with a GP so we can consult on the issue and plan your health care.

If you have not seen a doctor at the practice and we have had no information from a medical professional about your illness, you will not be able to get a certificate without an appointment.

If you are under the care of a hospital, your certificate may be issued by the hospital, rather than by the practice.

What happens after I complete a request

All admin requests are reviewed an responded to within 2 working days.

After you complete a Fit note request the GP can either say you are not fit for work, or say that you may be fit for work.

Not Fit for work

If you are not well enough to work the Doctor will provide you with a Statement of Fitness for Work (‘Fit Note’). Your employer will most likely request this statement as evidence to support payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

More Information about Statutory Sick Pay

May be fit for work

A Fit Note can provide advice to help you return to work. This is because work can play an important part in helping people to recover from illness on injury.

The GP may choose the option for ‘may be fit to work’ if they think that returning to work with support from your employer will help you.

There is also space for the GP to advise your employer about the impact of your illness or injury and suggest ways in which your employer can help you return to work by allowing you to work part time or temporarily changing your duties, for example if you have back pain, avoiding heavy lifting.

Charges for Fit Notes

There is usually no charge for providing a fit note if you are off sick for more than seven days.

Some employers may request a fit note even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a chargeable service known as a Private medical certificate. Ask at reception or see Non-NHS Chargeable Services for pricing details.

Date published: 8th October, 2014
Date last updated: 29th May, 2025