Your employer 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. This is called self-certification.

Self-certification forms usually include details such as:

• information about your sickness or illness
• the date your sickness started
• the date your sickness ended

Some employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn't have their own form, you can use HMRC's form SC2: Employee's Statement of Sickness.

If you are unwell and unable to work for more than seven days, in a row (including non-working days such as weekends and bank holidays) your employer will normally ask you to provide a Fit note. 

Fit notes are usually provided by GPs or Hospital Doctors (for example following an operation or hospital stay).

Additionally, the following healthcare professionals may be able to provide a fitnote if they have completed the necessary training and the reason for the fitnote falls within their scope of expertise:

• Registered Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist

Your GP, or other healthcare professional, must assess your fitness for work before giving a fit note.  Therefore, if you require a fitnote for a new issue, please book a routine appointment with a GP. 

Fit notes can be back-dated to the start of your illness, so urgent appointments will never be given for the purpose of a fit note.  

Fit notes can state that you are not fit for work, or that you may be fit for work, for example if you are returning to work on a 'phased-return' or on amended duties.

If your Fit Note runs out and you are still unable to return to work, you will need to request an extension to your fit note.  If a GP at the practice issued your first fit note (or we have received a letter from the hospital about your sickness) you many not need a further consultation with the GP. You can request an additional fit note online using the link the the right, or telephone reception to put in a request that will be passed to the doctor to review. 

Please allow 2-3 working days for the fitnote to be completed.  Please note, we are not legally able to provide an additional fit note before your existing fit note expires.  Please request your fit note extension on or after the date your existing note expires.  The GP can back-date your fit note extension to ensure there is no gap between notes.  Urgent appointments will not be given for fit note requests. 

In cases of extended sickness the GP will periodically ask to assess you to ensure that you are still unfit for work. You will be asked to book a routine telephone call or face to face appointment on or after the date your fit note expires.   

There is usually no charge for providing a fit note if you are off sick for more than seven days.

Some employers may request a fit note (e.g. from employees who repeatedly take time off sick) even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a private non-NHS medical certificate.

For sickness of seven days or less, a charge of £20 is payable in order for us to provide a certificate.