Sick notes and fit notes
How to get a Statement of Fitness for Work from us.
You don't need a fit note for short absences
For the first 7 calendar days off work, you can self-certify. Your employer will give you a form (SC2) or you can download one from GOV.UK. You don’t need to see a GP for this.
If you're off for more than 7 days
If you need a fit note for an absence longer than 7 days (including weekends), here’s how to request one:
1. Fill in an online form
The fastest way. Use eConsult and select the admin request option. Explain how long you’ve been off, why, and how long you expect to be off.
2. Call reception
Call 01270 441672 and ask reception for a fit note. We’ll process the request and contact you if a GP needs to speak to you first.
3. Book an appointment
For a first fit note, you’ll always need a telephone call with a doctor or nurse, whatever length of note you’re asking for. Once that first call is done, any follow-on notes just need you to let us know how long you’ll be off. There’s no further call needed for those.
How long it takes
Allow up to 48 hours for a fit note request to be processed. If you need it sooner, please flag this when you submit the request.
Extending or backdating a fit note
If you need to extend a fit note that’s about to expire, request it the same way as a new fit note. A GP will review your case and decide if you need to be seen first.
Fit notes can sometimes be backdated, but only when there’s a clear clinical record of the relevant illness or injury covering the dates in question.
A doctor or nurse also needs to have seen you at the start of the illness or injury. We can’t backdate a fit note to cover something like surgery if the hospital didn’t give you one at the time.
Private letters and forms
Anything outside the standard NHS fit note (e.g. insurance forms, holiday cancellation letters, driving fitness reports) is a private service and charged separately. Speak to reception about prices and turnaround times.