Med3 Fit Notes

You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

The latest information is at the HMRC website www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

It includes information on your rights and completing a self certificate if off for 7 days or less in a row. It can be filled in online at that site or downloaded here.

If you have been sick and unable to attend work for more than 7 days in a row your work may require evidence. Hospital doctors are now obliged to provide fit notes, so if you have been attending hospital for an illness, accident or operation and are likely to be off for more than 7 days ask them to provide you with a sick line for the likely duration of your illness and it can be continued longer when you attend the specialist outpatient clinic.

If you are not attending a specialist the your GP can provide a fit note. Ask at reception if you need to have an appointment or whether there is satisfactory evidence for one to be provided or extended without an appointment.

Some employees still ask patients for a “final line”. This is out of date practice and The DWP official advice is ” Going back to work  – You should go back to work when you feel able to and your employers agreement – this may be before your fit note runs out. You do not need to go back to your doctor before going back to work. Your Doctor cannot give you a fit note stating that you are fit for work” This information and more is contained tin this document from the DWP.