The DWP has issued strict guidelines for doctors to follow when issuing Fitness for Work notes (formerly known as ‘sick notes’).
If the illness is:
- Less than 3 days: your employer should not require a Fitness for Work note
- Between 3 and 7 days: you should hand your employer a "self certificate" (SC2). You do not need to see the doctor for this. More information on how to get an SC2 here.
- More than 7 days: You will need a Fitness for Work note and must contact the surgery to get one. It is only at 7 days that you need a doctors’ note. If you require a note covering illness when you saw a different doctor (e.g. casualty) the doctor at the surgery must be in receipt of written evidence (discharge summary etc.) that you saw another doctor. To request a fitness for work note, please email the surgery with the request details, your name and date of birth at sxicb-wsx.smcinfo@nhs.net and add MED3 in the email subject line, or call the Surgery on 01903 234962 after 12.00pm
- If you wish to request an extension to your current fot / sick note, please email the surgery the request details, your name and date of birth at sxicb-wsx.smcinfo@nhs.net and add MED3 in the email subject line, or call the Surgery on 01903 234962 after 12.00pm
Fitness for Work notes needed before 7 days illness will incur a charge of £20.00. If your employer is insisting on a Fitness for Work note outside of DWP guidelines they should bear the cost of our providing this.
More information on the gov.uk website here.