If you have been ill for 7 days or less you don’t need to see a Doctor. You can complete a Self-Certification form yourself. 

Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn’t have its own form you can download the Self Certification Form (SC2). Please print it, fill it in and hand it in to your employer. You do not need to see a Doctor.

A medical certificate note must be signed by a doctor. The Sick/Fit Note means your GP can give you advice to help you return to work. This is because work can play an important part in helping people to recover from illness or injury. The GP can either say you are 'not fit for work', or can say you 'may be fit for work'. The GP will choose the option for 'may be fit to work' if they think that returning to work (with support from your employer) will help you.

There is also space for the GP to give advice to your employer about the impact of your illness or injury and can suggest common ways in which your employer can help you return to work such as allowing you to work part time or temporarily or by changing your duties, for example; if you have back pain, avoiding heavy lifting.

Medical Certificates are also sometimes called doctor's notes, sick notes, fit notes or doctor's statements.

If you have seen a doctor at the practice regarding a problem and you need a medical certificate (or we have received a letter from the hospital about your sickness) you many not need to see the doctor again, you can submit an Anima request asking for a sick/fit note, which a clinician will review. Or fill out the 'Additionla Sick Note' form below. 

If you have not seen a doctor at the practice and we have had no information from a medical professional about your illness, you will not be able to get a certificate without speaking to a doctor first. Please submit an Anima request to book a routine appointment; urgent appointments are only provided for genuine medical emergencies and not for the purpose of certificates.

In either case there are rules governing the issue of medical certificates and the GP may not be able to supply one, depending on the information you provide.

If you are under the care of a hospital, your certificate may be issued by the hospital, rather than by the practice.

If you are sick and off work for more than seven days, your employer will normally ask you to provide a medical (Fitness to Work) certificate from your GP.

Please complete an Anima request to obtain an appointment to discuss fitness for work.

When you need a certificate will also depend on your employer's company policy on sick leave (or sickness absence). This policy should tell you how many days you can be off sick before you need a note.

To find out about your employer's policy:

• ask your team leader or supervisor, or
• speak to someone from your human resources (HR) or personnel department

If your certificate runs out, but you are still sick, you may need to consult the doctor again before you can get an additional certificate.

Please complete this form. We will contact you to let you know when you can collect your Sick / Fit Note or we may contact you to arrange an appointment.