• For illness lasting up to 7 calendar days or less (including weekends and bank holidays). You do not need a doctors fit note.

However your employer can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a self-certification form provided by your employer or by use the following link Download a self certifcation form

If you’ve been off work sick for more than seven days, then you may need to show your employers a fit note.  For further information regarding fit notes please click here

You can request a fit note through PATCHS click here or our online systems.

If you are calling the practice for a fit note then please make it clear to reception, that you are calling for a fit note. Fit notes can be backdated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate.

It may take 5 working day to review your request and you may not need an appointment for this.

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 £40 is payable in order for us to provide a certificate.

We also do not provide fit notes for school or universities.

You can return to work once your fit note date runs out. You do not need a certificate to say you are fit to work.  You can also return to work before your fit note runs out if you feel able to.

If you are still unwell then you will need to contact the practice again before you can get a further certificate.