Bridgnorth Medical Practice

I need a sick note for 2 weeks but have been asked to make an appointment.

Why can’t the doctor just issue it ?

Sometimes he/she can do so. But there are regulations that the doctor has to observe when issuing a fit note or sick note.

The doctor must have evidence that you are genuinely unfit for work and may need to discuss whether there is a possibility of you doing part of your job.

The doctor may need to know what you do for a living before issuing a note – for example, someone with a painful shoulder might be able to do an office job but not be fit for heavy manual labour.

So, do I always have to see a doctor face-to-face before getting a note ?

Not necessarily. We have no desire to create unnecessary appointments, if the doctor has enough information to issue a note without one !

The doctor may be able to issue a note based on a recent consultation, or he/she may have a report from another doctor or health professional on which to base the issue of a sick note.

However, please remember that it can sometimes take several weeks for GPs to receive a letter from a hospital following an outpatient clinic attendance and without such documentation, he/she may not have sufficient information to issue a note. This means that he/she may need to see you or speak to you on the telephone, or else to await the arrival of the hospital report.

A doctor may sometimes be able to issue a note on the basis of a telephone discussion.

If you are requesting an extension to a previously issued note, it is possible that the doctor may be able to issue one on the basis of a message left by you giving full details of the problem (and of your job) - but he/she is not obliged to do so, and should not do so if he/she does not feel that sufficient information has been provided.

Please give as much information as possible (about your condition and your job) when making such a request and please do not be upset if the doctor requires more information or requests that you make an appointment.

But it can be very difficult to get an appointment !

This is one reason why we would prefer to issue you a sick/fit note without seeing you, if at all possible.

But sometimes, the doctor will decide that it is essential to review you face-to-face.

If you are already off sick and are likely to need an extension, you should be able to anticipate when your current note will expire and to book a follow-up appointment in good time.