If you are unwell and unable to work you can self-certify for the first 7 days ( 3 days in RoI). This form can be obtained from your employer or printed here Employee’s statement of sickness to claim Statutory Sick Pay – GOV.UK www.gov.uk
Sick notes/MED3/fit notes are a statement that a patient is unfit for ALL work for a specified period of time due to a specified condition. We have to periodically reassess that you are unable to work, and so will advise you to make a review appointment at times. If you are on universal credit due to ill-health the benefits office also periodically reassess this. We are able to complete forms regarding your medical condition but often are unaware how it affects you on a daily basis so it is important to engage with the reassessment process also.
A “may be fit for work note” can also be provided suggesting adaptions that would be considered to facilitate a return to work such as altered hours, light duties, and phased return. However, NHS GPs are not trained in occupational medicine and your employer may ask for a fuller assessment of what elements of your job are and are not possible. This would involve a referral by your employer to occupational health. If you are on ill-health benefits but feel able to explore a partial return to work there is support from the condition management team. Please ask us if you would like a referral to them.
MED3 notes can be completed by any doctor and recently this has been extended to other professions such as nurse practitioners and physiotherapists. Specifically hospital doctors are able to complete these and for inpatient stays, postoperative recovery and after a fracture should be completed by the hospital.
You only need a doctor’s note if you are unable to work and are ill for longer than seven calendar days. Your employer will provide you with an SC2 self-certificate form for shorter periods of illness. You only need to book an appointment with the GP if your sick certificate is for a new medical problem and you weren’t assessed by another doctor (Eg. in hospital/a and e). You can obtain a continuation sick certificate by telephoning reception at the Health Centre.
You must allow 48 hours notice for completion of a medical certificate.
A Sicknote (Med3) can be backdated (only if you have been assessed by a clinical person for the condition that incapacitates you for work) but not dated for a future date.
A ’back to work’ certificate does not exist. You can return to work when your sick certificate runs out or you feel able to return to work.
There is a Cross border agreement that the Sick certificate we issue is accepted in the Republic of Ireland. No weekly certificates are required.
