Sick notes
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
If you're off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a healthcare professional. Fit notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or doctor's notes. When you work out the number of days that you've been sick, you need to count all the days in a row you've been sick, including days you do not usually work, such as weekends and bank holidays. If you need a fit note, contact the healthcare professional treating you. This should be a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist.How to count sick days
How can I get a fit note?
Extending your sick note
If you have already seen the doctor and had a previous sick note but feel that you are still not well enough to work, then you will need to request an extension. Please call the surgery on 01204 300033, between 9am and 5pm.
Alternatively you can submit an online request:
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.
Page created: 25 March 2024