Been Off Work?

Sickness Certificates

 Fit Note (Sick line) Requests 

• Please request sick lines/ fit notes via email prescription.s77248@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. You can download a sick line request form from the bottom of this page. 
• If you do not have internet access you, or someone on your behalf, can fill in a paper form at our reception desk and post it into the prescription letter box. 
• Fit notes can be collected from the practice reception desk.

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

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 can request a medical certificate from your GP as long as you have had contact with a healthcare professional prior to making your request. This could mean you have had a GP or nurse appointment, been seen at the Out of Hours Service, or have recently been in hospital. As long as we have received communication regarding your current illness from any NHS service out with our practice, a medical certificate can usually be issued.

 

Requests take 48 hours to process and sometimes the doctor will need to see you or speak with you before issuing a certificate. Certificates can be backdated but not forward dated.

You may also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. your 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)