All sick notes will have an illness or relevant condition stated and a length of time the sick note is covering. They may be collected from Reception.

The First 5 Days

If you are off work for up to 1 week (5 working days) you do not need a sick note form.

This means you can either write a letter to your employer or, if you prefer, there is a form called a Statutory Sick Pay Form or Employees Statement Of Sickness (form SC2). You can either collect one from your surgery or download a copy here:

Employees Statement Of Sickness (form SC2)

Complete the form and hand it to your employer.

Some employers are insisting on a doctor's note for less than one week's absence. If you need a sick note in these circumstances the doctor will charge a fee for a private certificate.

After One Week

Once you have been off sick for more than 1 week you can obtain a sick note from a doctor.

This can often be done by talking with the receptionist or a telephone consultation with your own doctor who may be able to issue a certificate without you needing to be seen.

If you have been in Hospital a sick note can either be issued by the Hospital Doctor or by talking with the receptionist who will book a telephone consultation with your own Doctor, if required, who will have been informed by the Hospital of your visit. It is not normally necessary for the Doctor to see you in person.

If you have not been seen by a doctor or nurse before for the current problem and it is not a continuing condition it will be necessary for you to be seen by a doctor in person at the surgery. This can be arranged by the receptionist.

Back Dating

It is routine policy for a sick note to be back dated so you do not need to be seen urgently or on the day that your sick note expires or is due to be issued. It can be issued at a later date and backdated at the doctor’s discretion to the required date.

Private Certificates

Sick notes from the Doctor are normally free of charge. However, if you require a private certificate or you require a Doctor's sick note and have been absent from work for less than 5 days there is a charge of £11.50. For detailed letters to employers or third parties this charge may be up to £25.00