Sickness Certificates

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.

Evidence that you are sick

Sickness CertificatesIf you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

Renewal of a Fit Note

Patients who have been issued with a fit note from a GP can request an extension to their fit note if they feel their medical condition has not improved and still requires them to take time off from work.

To renew your fit note, you can either:

  • Telephone the practice after 10am each morning to request a renewal.
  • Pop into the practice and discuss further with a receptionist.
  • Email your request to Fife.F21609tayview@nhs.scot

Patients who use our email system should detail "Fit Note Renewal" in the subject line and provide the following information in the email:

  • Your full name, date of birth and address
  • A contact telephone number
  • The medical reason for your fit note
  • How long you are requesting an extension for e.g. 2 weeks

If you do not hear back from the practice, you can assume your fit note will be ready to collect from the practice after 2 working days.  The practice will contact you if the doctors wish to discuss your request further.

Please note, we do not email copies of fit notes to patients for confidentiality reasons.

 
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