When do I need a fit / sick note?
7 days off sick 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. This is called self-certification. Visit the following link for information and the form for self-certification
More than 7 days off sick
If you're off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit / sick note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a GP or hospital doctor. Fit / sick notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or a doctor's note.
The best way to obtain a fit / sick note is to use the administrative Econsult service.
Fit / sick notes can be sent to you electronically if we have your mobile phone number. Please ensure we have your current number.
Doctors issue fit / sick notes to people to provide evidence of the advice they have given about their fitness for work. They record details of the functional effects of their patient’s condition so the patient and their employer can consider ways to help them return to work.
If you are concerned about your health condition, you should continue to see your GP.
For more information please visit;
When do I need a fit note? (NHS information)
The fit note: guidance for patients and employees (GOV.uk)