Fit Note for work

[Iamblossom]

Hi.

2 weeks ago I had a horse riding accident and broke four ribs and my collar bone. I went into hospital straight through a&e, not via my gp. I had a week there, and an operation on my collar bone.

I have a discharge note from the hospital which covers the week I was there. But work have asked me for a doctor's letter to cover last week when I was home recovering, and a fit note to say I am signed off to return to work, to include any adjustments to my working arrangements I need, such as the fact that I can't drive for another 5 weeks. They are not keen on me returning to work without this.

I phoned my GP who said they cannot provide it as I am not under their care and went into hospital as a trauma patient.

Does anyone have any experience of a hospital providing such paperwork? I have never heard of this before...

Thanks in advance.

[Jamct23]

Hi lamblossom I had a sort of similar situation emergency op to remove my appendix and my GPs did a sick note to cover it all and ticked a box on the sick note to say light duties for the next 4 weeks upon my return to work x

[Iamblossom]

Thanks @Jamct23

I did think my GP's reply was singularly unhelpful

[Jamct23]

I wasn’t sure how to go about it, had the op on the Friday but was in hosp till following Wednesday had appointment with GP on the Friday month morning a week after the app, she did it all there and then for me, I would try to get an appointment with the go or a telephone consultation at least hope it helps and that your feeling better soon

[Iamblossom]

Thankyou.

[Cocolepew]

Thats ridiculous. Make an appointment and go and see the GP.
How can they not give you one? I know they can't pre date one but I've had one back dated before.

[Iamblossom]

@Cocolepew I did actually see my gp last week as I had a bad reaction to the meds I was on and apparently they were prepared to write a note for me that related to that day only...

[Cocolepew]

Wow that really is unhelpful!
I didn't realise they could refuse, I've had a few by phone consultations after going through A&E for a condition.
The only sick note from a hospital Ive ever had was years ago when I was admitted, it only covered the admission and the GP covered the rest.
I hope someone can help you.

[Iamblossom]

Cheers @Cocolepew x

[MemorialBeach]

While your GP does sound unhelpful and should have received a discharge letter from the hospital with details of your admission and what aftercare/recovery is needed which should allow them to write you a note, I would have thought that the hospital should have provided a note to say how long after discharge you were unfit for work for, and any further restrictions after that.

Certainly when I was admitted as an emergency to have my gall bladder removed I was given a note from the hospital which covered me for the stay in hospital plus a week's recovery time. I had no contact with my GP at all (though I did see the practice nurse to have my stitches out)

[sleeplessinderbyshire]

The hospital should do it. It’s in their contract to do so and they’ve been paid specifically to do it

[PlugUgly1980]

Dr at hospital forgot to write my note. The Nurse discharging me said I could wait til he came free again (could have been all day) or ring my GP and ask them to write me one. I did an online e-consultation with my GP and had a sick note and fit note issued. No problem.

[seven201]

I didn't think I needed one (my stupid fault) so didn't get one from the hospital after major kidney surgery. My gp was a bit miffed that the hospital hadn't given me one, but did write me one without argument. Maybe make an appt with a different gp?

[Musicaltheatremum]

Hospital should have done it. GP can do it but sadly they're getting fed up of hospitals dumping excess work on them that they have "forgotten" to do. Hence sadly some practices are saying no.
Not so bad in Scotland where I am as the payment streams are different but if there's not enough gps to do their own work then they don't want to do the hospitals work too. Agree it sounds daft but when you're issuing your 10th sicknote if the day it gets annoying

[Iamblossom]

I have rung the hospital and they are going to do it for me. Thanks for all the advice.

[Iamblossom]

I did ring the gp again and they said they would do it but only if I came to see them and the next available appointment was in two weeks

[Cocolepew]

Glad you've got sorted, feel better soon

[GrandmaSharksDentures]

Double check that the hospital can issue "fit" notes. You self certify for the first 7 days so don't actually need a fit / sick note. None of the hospitals I have worked in issue these notes - it has always been a GP thing only. It is very possible that the person on the phone wasn't fully aware of this. Hopefully your hospital is different though