Med3 Fit Notes

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.

If you have already spoken to a clinician (either at the surgery or hospital) about the episode of illness, we can take requests for certificates using the form below, over the phone or by email. Please tell us the dates you need covering and the condition leading to your absence. Please ensure the doctor can contact you if necessary by providing an up to date phone number. We require 48h to process the request. Please note, if you make the request by email after 12 noon, the processing of the request will start the following working day.

Obtain a Sick Note (Med 3)

If this is your first request under this current illness, you will need to make a telephone appointment with a Clinician to obtain your note.

Evidence that you are sick

If 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)