If you have been ill for 7 days or less you don’t need to see a Doctor. You can complete a Self-Certification form yourself. However some employers insist on a Doctor’s note regardless. A Doctors note under these circumstances involves a charge of £10.

Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn’t have its own form you can download the Self Certification Form. Please print it, fill it in and hand it in to your employer. You do not need to see a Doctor.

If you have been ill for more than 7 days you will need a doctor’s certificate. These certificates are called ‘Fitness to Work’ Certificates.

The doctor may call you or arrange for an appointment.

If you have already been seen by your Doctor about this illness your certificate will be sent to you within a week.

With the increasing number of covid cases, the government has changed the rules for fit notes. If you went on the sick on or after 10/12/2021, you can now self certify for up to 28 days at a time rather than the previous number of 7 days. 

Doctors are unable to issue fit notes during this time for new sick leave. 

For more info see: https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave