Sick/Fit Note Certificates

Under the National Insurance system, you can self-certify for any period of illness lasting up to 7 calendar days. The clock resets if you return to work (or work from home), even for just a few hours. During the first week, your employer should accept your self-certification and take your word that you are ill.

Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If this is the case, you should complete and return the form directly to your employer. You do not need to see a doctor for this.

If you are facing difficulties with your employer regarding sick certification, thegovernment’s rules on sick certification can be a helpful reference.

Doctor’s Note for Absence Under 7 Days

Some employers may insist on a doctor’s note, even for absences under 7 days. If we are asked to provide a doctor's note for an absence of less than 7 days, a fee will apply for a private sick certificate.

If you have been off work for more than 7 days due to illness, you will need a Fitness to Work certificate.

• If another medical team has advised you not to work, please contact them directly for the certificate.

• If you have not spoken to us about your illness yet, you will need to book an appointment.

If you’ve already discussed your illness with us and just need a certificate (for example, if your recovery took longer than expected), you can request it non-urgently by email.

Please remember: Do not use the email address if you need advice or wish to speak to the doctor.

If you’ve already received a Fitness to Work certificate for your illness, your doctor may not need to see you to extend it. You can arrange the extension non-urgently by email.

Please remember: Do not use the email if you need advice or wish to speak to the doctor.

The hospital is responsible for providing Fitness to Work certificates for any patient they advise not to work.

This includes:

• The period when the patient is an inpatient in hospital.

• Any period afterward when the hospital advises the patient not to work.

• Patients advised to take time off due to injury (e.g. advice given in A&E or the fracture clinic).

• Patients who are advised not to work, even if that advice is given over the phone.

Patients should make sure to ask the hospital whether they can work and request a Fitness to Work certificate at the same time.