Do you have to go to the GP to get a sick/fit note?

[KirstyJC]

Daft question I know but I am on 3rd day of sick with loose stools, 1st day weds then nothing yesterday only to have it come back this evening. Not sure what is going on and if it doesn't stop by next week I will be trying to get a gp appt anyway. But in the meantime I might need a gp note as I work in hospital and they quite rightly need us to stay off for 2 days after the symptoms finish, which then counts as sick unless you caught it from a known inpatient infection (not the case here). So if I am symptomatic after Sunday I will need a note as would be off until at least Wednesday or longer. I wouldn't have thought a gp surgery would appreciate me turning up to spread my germs just for a note so wondered if you could get them by phone instead? Obviously if symptoms continue I will try and get gp appointment and can ask in person then.

I was wondering about calling the same day gp on Mon as they offer call backs at our surgery. Is that sensible? Apart from pregnancy I haven't ever had a gp note so not sure how they work!

Anyone?

As far as I’m aware employers can only request a sick note for absences over 7 days, anything less than that and you have to self certify- usually just stating you have been sick or filling out a form

Sorry I didn’t read the whole thread properly and didn’t realise that it would be Wednesday-Wednesday! I’ve only ever had a sick note through a face to face GP appointment so not entirely sure if it can be done over the phone

I am not sure how it works in your particular case as I am not familiar with NHS giud lines , but you can self cert for 7 days regardless as to weather you would of been in work . after that you need a docs sick note , then a fit note if you have had something that could affect you job ,
a fainting fork lift truck driver can not return to work until the fainting has been resolved either by treatment or on going medicine ( from our H&S manual )

I think you can only get repeat sick notes if you are under a gp / hospital and are waiting for test results but I am not very sure about that .

Thanks folks. It would be over 7 days if I have symptoms into Monday. Up to then I can self certify which is fine. Anyone ever got a note after a phone call with gp?

Hi only for more serious illnesses. All you can do is phone and see what they say. Feel better soon!

My doctors surgery will give a sick note if you call the receptionists and explain the situation. They then pass the list of names and reasons and the doctor writes up the notes.. I was quite shocked at how simple it was

At my surgery you absolutely can get a sick note over the phone.

I've had one over the phone before, but only a continuation from one that is about to run out. I've never had an initial one issued over the phone but then I've never tried.

I have had several sick notes over the phone recently, but then I am waiting for an operation and they know I can't go back til I have had it. I'm not sure if it would be the same for a "new" illness, though in your circumstances I don't think they would want you in the surgery.

My doctors surgery will issue a fit note with just a phone appt. I've had a few that way

I’ve had a note after a phone call. Mine was stress/bereavement related and I couldn’t face going to the GPs. I’m sure they would in your circumstances, in a face to face appt they wouldn’t exactly demand proof of your illness!

If your surgery does telephone consultations then that is your best option. You can discuss your symptoms and let the GP know it has now been over 7 days and you need a sick certificate. Just calling up and asking for the certificate is not acceptable at most surgeries. Lots of fraud goes on with sick certificates. Different if it's an ongoing problem the GP is aware of. Hope you feel better soon.

Self certify for first week