What’s the process for you if you need to get a sick note?

[TheChosenTwo]

And maybe it’s actually called a fit note?!
I had to get one about 10 years ago and had to go to my dr to get signed off work with 2 slipped discs. It was rather impractical what with being rather immobile but I did manage it, the gp wanted to see me anyway and they prescribed some good medication. I had to go 2 weeks later to get it extended.

Anyway I need signing off again, I’m having an operation next week so will need to go to the doctors. Dh said they’ll just be able to sign me off without seeing me because they’ll be able to see I’ve had a procedure, what it is etc. It sort of makes sense but will it really be that easy?

I guess i’ll find out next week when I call them but I’m curious to find out, if you’ve been signed off in the last 10 years, what your process was! Maybe things have changed, maybe it’s always been this way but my last time was something completely different (because I did need to be seen and prescribed medication), maybe it differs depending on your location, I don’t know.

You have to self certify for the first week

At my surgery I would put in an online request for a fit note and I don't think they'd need to see me

Oh yes I will self cert for the first week, I had a meeting with my boss the other day and she let me know what she needed and when!

My consultant did mine after surgery. Wouldn't the hospital do it for you?

I had an operation recently and they gave me a fit note at the hospital. I didn’t need to contact my GP at all.

I don’t know, I didn’t realise this might even be an option!

Oh okay maybe this might be what I need to ask then!

The surgeon who does the operation is meant to do a fit note for the predicted duration of recovery. Not dump it on the GP. (CoI hospital doctor)

I was off work for 6 weeks earlier this year. I just put in an online request and it was done. GPs don't have time to personally assess each request.

The last 2 times I’ve had procedures done in hospital they asked me there if I needed a fit note before being discharged (I didn’t, but they were very willing to give one if needed!)

I had an op last year and the hospital gave me a 2 week sick note before I left. I needed it extending by a week and did an online request but I had to collect it when it was approved

Yes. If it’s following an operation, the hospital should do the fit note. If you need it extending, call the surgery and ask what their procedure is (probably an online form).

Ah brilliant, that’s really good to know, thanks all! It does make sense thinking about it but it’s not something I’ve been through before (having surgery and then needing time off), glad I asked!

Wow, I hope someone is assessing these somewhere/somehow though, because this seems like it could possibly be negligent to just issue them without speaking with a patient 😱
obviously this is dependent on the need for the note and in order to issue them someone is obviously reading them but to write one for 6 weeks without having seen you sounds quite drastic.

Currently on sick leave with cancer. My fit notes have been done by the hospital as they're the team treating me, not my GP.

If the consultant doing your procedure feels you need to be off more than the 7 days you can self certify then they should give you the note prior to you being discharged from hospital. It’s in the national contract 🙂