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Sickness Certificates
Learn more about sickness certificates
Please allow us time to process your request.
We understand that patients may sometimes be under pressure from their employer to provide a fit note quickly. However, sick note requests are not urgent requests and we are unable to prioritise them because of an employer's timescales.
- Our standard processing time is up to 5 working days, and we ask that you explain this timescale to your employer rather than contacting the practice to request your sick note sooner.
- Where appropriate, a clinician may be able to backdate a sick note to avoid a gap in certification. This is a clinical decision and cannot be guaranteed.
Request a new sickness certificate (fit note)
For a new illness or condition.
If you are off work for 7 days or less, you do not need to give your employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a medical professional.
Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or you can download it from the HMRC website.
You must give your employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if you’ve been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.
You can get a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor
Taken sick leave for more than 7 days in a row? Request your sick/fit note here.
Request a renewal/extention of a sickness certificate (fit note)
For an ongoing condition where you have already been assessed by a clinician.
Only request your renewal 24–48 hours before your current one is due to expire. Clinicians cannot pre-date a sick note, so requesting one earlier does not allow us to issue it in advance.