GP fit notes

How to get a fit note

If you need a fit note, contact the healthcare professional treating you. This should be a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist.

Your healthcare professional will assess you, and if they decide your health affects your fitness for work, they can issue a fit note and advise either that:

• you are "not fit for work"
• you "may be fit for work taking into account the following advice"

Your healthcare professional will choose the "may be fit for work" option if they think that you are able to do some work, even if it is not your usual job, with support from your employer.

Discuss this advice with your employer to see if you can return to work. For example, the healthcare professional treating you may suggest possible changes, such as:

• returning to work gradually, for example, by starting part time
• temporarily working different hours
• performing different duties or tasks
• having other support to do your job. For example, if you have back pain, avoiding heavy lifting

If your employer is unable to accommodate the changes advised by a healthcare professional, then the fit note is treated as though it said "not fit for work".

Charges for fit notes

There is never a charge from a healthcare professional for providing a fit note if you're off sick from work for more than 7 days.

For sickness of 7 days or less, your GP practice may charge you to provide a private medical certificate.

For example, some employers may request medical evidence from employees who repeatedly take time off sick, even if each time they're off work it's for 7 days or less. A fit note cannot be used for this purpose and a healthcare professional may charge to issue a private certificate.

When do you need a fit note

Seven days off sick or less

If you’re off sick for less than seven days, then your employer shouldn’t ask for a fit note. However, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill and that you’re better to return to work. This is called a self-certification, and you can get the form from your employer.

More than seven days off sick

If you’re off work sick for more than seven days, then your employer might ask for a fit note to show evidence from your GP that you were not fit to work. You can use our online system to request a GP fit note.

Further information

You can find more information about fit notes on the NHS website.