Foxley Square Surgery - Sickness Certificate

What do you need?

  • For the FIRST SEVEN DAYS of any illness you do not require any form of certification. (It is for you to decide if you are fit for work).
  • After the FIRST SEVEN DAYS you will need a doctor's certificate and will have to attend the doctor to get a Department of Social Security sick note either a 'Med 3' or 'Med 5'.

Further Information

You do not normally need a sickness certificate for the first seven days of illness. The Statutory Sick Pay Regulations state that employers are required to accept self-certification notes (filled in by you) for the first seven days of illness. All employers must comply with these regulations. You only need a doctor's certificate during the first seven days of illness if you wish to claim benefits other than Statutory Sick Pay: For example, benefits under the private insurance scheme, or to take your pre-booked holiday as sick leave instead. In these circumstances we make a charge of £10 for a private sickness certificate. To continue to claim Statutory Sick Pay after the first week of illness you will need a doctor's certificate, which will be provided free of charge. To claim other benefits, such as those under private insurance scheme, you will need to bring the appropriate form for us to fill in.

Do you need a doctor's certificate in the first seven days of an illness?

No, illness that last less than one week are usually minor and self-limiting and you may not require a visit to a doctor. It can be difficult for your doctor to judge whether or not you are incapable of reporting for work in this situation and all the certificate really indicates is that you attended the surgery on a specific date complaining that you had a minor illness. In general, The Department of Health and Social Security, employers, doctors and patients do not recommend that you attend your doctor for certification alone. Your GP is required to issue a certificate only if your absence from work through sickness lasts more than seven days.

What are private sick notes and do you need one?

Sick notes are usually not necessary for the first week of any illness. Some employers or insurance schemes will ask you to provide a private sick note. A charge of £20 will apply if you require a sick note within 7 days. *Please note* DSS certificates are only for determining eligibility for statutary sick pay, and are not fit for not insurance, etc.