Sick notes

Doctor writing on notepad

A document from a healthcare professional that provides evidence of your fitness for work, advising whether you are not fit for work or may be fit for work with adjustments. Sick notes can only be issues when they are due. Although they can be back dated, they cannot be future dated. Please do not request an emergency appointment for a sick note. 

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

To request a sick note, please contact the practice to make an appointment. 

If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less

If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification.

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS Inform.

Requesting an extension to your sick note

Fill in the form

Sick notes whilst in Hospital

If you are off work due to a Hospital admission, a sick note can be issued by the Hospital to cover the period of time you were in the Hospital. This should cover your expected period of absence. Once discharged, your GP can issue an extension to your sick note if required. This may be able to be done based on your Hospital discharge letter or you may be asked to attend for review.

Page last reviewed: 28 October 2025
Page created: 15 September 2025