Sick (Fit) Notes

Request a sick (fit) note

You can request a sick note online. If you have not had one before, you may need to see or speak to a doctor. If you have been in the hospital, it is their responsibility to issue you the first sick note.

We cannot issue sick notes in advance, and they may take up to 5 working days if your GP is not available. Sick notes can be back-dated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate.

If you attend an emergency appointment for the purpose of getting a medical certificate, you will be asked to rebook.

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

Request a sick note online

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

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 (e.g. from employees who repeatedly take time off sick) even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a private non-NHS medical certificate.

See our Non NHS Services page for price details

When Your Fit Note Runs Out

If your certificate runs out, but you are still sick, you will need to consult the doctor again before you can get a further certificate.

Fit certificates can be back-dated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certifiate. If you attend an emergency appointment for the purpose of getting a medical certificate you will be asked to rebook.