If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
To request a sick note:
- use the Accurx service
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.
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.
Fit Note (Sick Note) Policy
When we issue Fit Notes
A Fit Note (sometimes called a sick note) is medical evidence that you may not be fit for work due to a health condition.
- For the first 7 days of illness, you do not need a Fit Note. You can self-certify with your employer.
- From day 8 onwards, a Fit Note may be issued if clinically appropriate following an assessment.
- Backdating sick notes – Sick notes can only be backdated to the date you first contacted us about your illness. This is because we can only assess your condition based on the information available at the time of consultation or contact. We are unable to certify periods of illness prior to this without prior medical evidence or assessment.
- Future-dated sick notes – We are not able to issue sick notes for future dates. A sick note reflects a medical assessment of your current condition and, where appropriate, a reasonable estimate of recovery time. However, it cannot be issued in advance for an illness or absence that has not yet occurred or been assessed.
Duration of Fit Notes
Our practice will issue Fit Notes for a maximum period of up to 1 month at a time.
- We do not issue Fit Notes covering periods longer than 1 month.
- If you need ongoing certification after this period, you will need a review appointment so your condition and ability to work can be reassessed.
Ongoing or long-term conditions
If you have a long-term or ongoing condition:
- Fit Notes will still be limited to no more than 1 month per issue
- Regular reviews are required to ensure the advice remains appropriate and up to date
- We may recommend adjustments at work rather than complete absence, where suitable
Employer requests
Please note:
- Fit Notes are issued based on medical need, not employer policy
- We cannot issue Fit Notes for non-medical reasons
- Employers should accept Fit Notes that recommend adjusted duties or reduced hours
Important information
- Fit Notes are not guaranteed and are issued at the clinician’s discretion
- Repeated requests without clinical review may be refused
- This policy helps ensure safe, appropriate care and regular review of your health