How Do I Get a Sick Note From a Doctor?

How Do I Get a Sick Note From a Doctor?

In the UK, a “sick note” is formally known as a Statement of Fitness for Work, or a Fit Note. It is a legal document that provides evidence of your inability to work due to illness or injury.

Since the “Fit for Work” reforms, these documents are also used to suggest ways you might return to work with specific support.

Here is a comprehensive guide on when you need one, who can issue it, and the modern digital ways to request it in 2026.

1. The “First Week” Rule: Self-Certification

If you are off work for 7 calendar days or fewer (including weekends and bank holidays), you do not need a fit note from a doctor. Instead, you can “self-certify.” Your employer may ask you to fill out a form when you return to work to confirm you were off sick.

• Form SC2: You can often download this from the HMRC website or your employer may provide their own internal version.

• Payment: This is sufficient evidence for your employer to pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for the first week.

2. After 7 Days: Getting a Fit Note

If your illness lasts longer than 7 days, you legally require a fit note to continue claiming SSP or to justify your absence under your employment contract.

Who can sign a Fit Note? As of 2026, the range of healthcare professionals authorized to sign fit notes has expanded to ease the pressure on GPs. You can receive a note from:

• GPs and Hospital Doctors: The traditional primary source.

• Registered Nurses: Including senior nurses and nurse practitioners.

• Occupational Therapists: If your illness relates to functional ability.

• Pharmacists: Specifically Clinical Pharmacists working within GP surgeries or hospitals.

• Physiotherapists & Podiatrists: Often issuing an AHP Health and Work Report, which most employers accept as equivalent to a fit note.

3. Do You Need to See a Doctor in Person?

Not necessarily. Modern general practice has moved toward digital triage. You can often request a fit note without a face-to-face appointment if:

• It is a renewal: You have already seen a doctor for the condition and just need an extension.

• There is hospital evidence: You have a discharge summary or letter from a consultant confirming your diagnosis and recovery time.

• Online Consultation: You can use services like eConsult or Accurx via your GP’s website to submit a request. The doctor can then text or email a digital “e-Fit Note” directly to your phone.

4. Understanding the “Fit for Work” Options

A fit note is no longer just a “binary” choice between sick or healthy. Your healthcare provider has two main options to tick:

• Not Fit for Work: You should not be at work at all.

• May be Fit for Work: This is a powerful tool for recovery. The doctor can suggest:

  • Phased return: Starting with fewer hours and building up.

  • Amended duties: Avoiding heavy lifting or high-stress tasks.

  • Workplace adaptations: Such as specialized chairs or working from home.

  • Altered hours: Avoiding peak travel times if you have mobility issues or anxiety.

5. Important “Pro-Tips” for Employees

• Backdating: Doctors can backdate a fit note. If you couldn’t get an appointment on day 8 of your illness, don’t panic. As long as the doctor agrees you were ill from that date, they can reflect that on the form.

• Charges: An NHS fit note is free if you have been ill for more than 7 days. If your employer demands a private sick note for an absence of less than 7 days, the GP surgery is entitled to charge a fee (usually £30–£60).

• Hospital Stays: If you are an inpatient, the hospital doctor should issue your fit note. Do not wait until you get home to ask your GP; the hospital has the most current information.

• The “End Date”: You do not need a “signed back to work” note. Once the fit note expires, you are legally presumed fit to return unless you get a new one.

6. Where to Find More Information

For detailed legalities regarding sick pay and your rights, the NHS Website and GOV.UK provide the most up-to-date regional variations for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.