Bridgnorth Medical Practice

SHORT TERM ILLNESS & RETURNING TO WORK

Do I need a note to be signed back to work ? Do I need to see a doctor for this ?

No to both questions! For the vast majority of occupations, there is no requirement for a doctor’s note to say you are fit to return to work, and indeed, there is no facility on the forms which doctors have to fill in to say this. It is assumed that if someone doesn’t have a valid sick note or fit note (partial sick note), then he/she should be considered to be fit for work.

Where it is required there is an existing procedure – for example with the DVLA Form D4 for LGV/PCV drivers.

Nor do you need a note if you feel ready to return to work before your current sick note has expired – you can just go back.

If your employer disputes this, please refer them to the Dept. of Work & Pensions web site at : http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnote-employer-guide.pdf  (on page 19). If an employer still feels they require such advice they can seek this in writing from your GP or from an Occupational Health specialist via a private arrangement (accompanied by your written consent).

My employer insists on a doctor’s note from the first day of my sickness absence – I thought that wasn’t needed unless I have been off for a week or more ?

That’s right. There is no need for a doctor’s note until after seven days of illness. However, the doctor can issue a note sooner than this if he/she feels it is likely that you will be off work for more than a week.

For sickness absence from work of less than 7 days, you should produce a self-certificate (although even this may not be required for less than 4 consecutive days absence). The appropriate form for this is the SC2 form which is available from your employer or can be downloaded from the HMRC website at :   http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf . You do not require a doctor’s note for such absences.

If your employer still insists on this, they may wish to apply to us in writing for a medical report (for which a charge is payable by the employer), accompanied by your signed consent to release of information.

Alternatively, a private sickness certificate may be issued at the doctor’s discretion, for which a fee is also chargeable. Whilst we would encourage you to pass this charge on to your employer, in order to discourage unnecessary demands for sick notes, we cannot enforce this.

I was issued a sick note but now I think I’m going to need an extension as I’m not ready to go back to work. What should I do ?

Contact the surgery as soon as possible and explain why you need more time off. A doctor may be willing to issue a note based on this information, but sometimes the doctor might need to speak to you on the phone or arrange for you to be seen face to face.

The doctor is more likely to want to see you if there is a possibility of a partial return to work - a “fit note”.

Do not worry if you are offered an appointment after your current sick note has expired, as the doctor will likely to be able to backdate the follow-on note so that there is no gap.

I was issued a sick note but I think I may be able to go back to work sooner than was expected. Do I need a new note ?

No. The guidance fro the Dept. of Work and Pensions makes it clear that under these circumstances, if you and your employer agree that you are fit for work, you can simply return to work sooner that the date specified on the earlier note. There is no need for any new certificate.

Employers may be directed to the guidance on the DWP website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote .