To expect a dr note

Skyisbluegrassisgreen · 2023-06-05T10:18:14+00:00

DC due to take the second half of a gcse exam today. Woke at 6am sobbing in pain from headache, has temperature of over 38 and vomited several times. Exam centre has said they can be marked on just the first exam if they get a sick note. GP has said they do not and will not provide a note or see DC. IABU to think there should be some thing in place for kids who are genuinely sick on exam day.

MatildaTheCat · 05/06/2023 11:23

Email the practice manager. It may be possible to get a doctors letter if you pay. Unfortunately if the doctor hasn’t seen the child there would be a very limited amount they could say other than, ‘mother of child reports…’

Skyblue92 · 05/06/2023 11:25

unfortunately they would need a dr letter so it can be sent off with a note explaining why exam missed. Drs are fully aware of this and I’d imagine would expect this. As PP said it’s to protect those who are genuinely ill and not trying it on

Darkstar4855 · 05/06/2023 11:28

GP surgeries are massively oversubscribed, I can see why they don’t want to spend time doing doctors notes for exam boards instead of seeing patients that need urgent medical care. Can the school do some sort of letter for the exam board to say she wasn’t well on the day? Otherwise you could see a GP privately for a note?

Original poster

Skyisbluegrassisgreen · 05/06/2023 11:31

Unfortunately I don’t think they accept notes from a private GP they’re just looking in to it.

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DoubleYolker · 05/06/2023 11:32

It’s a crazy system. Sick notes are legal documents that allow someone to claim sick pay. They were never intended to cover kids exams. It’s an annual problem that GP surgeries are inundated with these requests. It’s not the parents fault, they are just doing what school ask. But doctors spending their time doing letters for schools (not an NHS contractual obligation so private work and therefore chargeable) is no longer sustainable. I don’t know what the answer is.

fucktonofcats · 05/06/2023 11:48

DoubleYolker · 05/06/2023 11:32

It’s a crazy system. Sick notes are legal documents that allow someone to claim sick pay. They were never intended to cover kids exams. It’s an annual problem that GP surgeries are inundated with these requests. It’s not the parents fault, they are just doing what school ask. But doctors spending their time doing letters for schools (not an NHS contractual obligation so private work and therefore chargeable) is no longer sustainable. I don’t know what the answer is.

When I was ill during a professional exam as an adult, a nurse practitioner certified as much (for a fee). Sick notes have always been chargeable where they're not the bog standard SSP form (which takes no time at all to complete).

mycoffeecup · 05/06/2023 11:51

GPs are under no obligation to do notes for school - if we do, then we get parents who know their kids just have a cold booking an unnecessary appointment just to get a note. However from your clinical description I think she needs seeing. I'd have seen and offered a factual letter, but it would be at a cost.

DoubleYolker · 05/06/2023 11:55

fucktonofcats · 05/06/2023 11:48

When I was ill during a professional exam as an adult, a nurse practitioner certified as much (for a fee). Sick notes have always been chargeable where they're not the bog standard SSP form (which takes no time at all to complete).

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Yes, I’m aware (I’m a GP). My point is that that the problem is the amount of people seeking these at one time. If we are spending time being administrators and writing notes for kids, we are not seeing the patients that need our help. We have no spare time in the day to do this stuff anymore.

PinkDaffodil2 · 05/06/2023 12:00

Is your child unwell enough to need medical attention? If so I’d expect the doctor could print off a summary of the consultation for you (or reception more likely) to help with the exam situation?
If they’re not actually unwell enough to need to see a GP then it’s really not an appropriate use of a same day urgent NHS appointment - surgeries are hugely over stretched just trying to provide a vaguely safe level of care right now.
A note from a private doctor would be more appropriate in this instance and should absolutely be accepted by the exam board.
I don’t think many practices have capacity to squeeze in urgent private work, even for a fee.

starfishmummy · 05/06/2023 12:02

Skyisbluegrassisgreen · 05/06/2023 11:31

Unfortunately I don’t think they accept notes from a private GP they’re just looking in to it.

I don't think the previous poster meant a private GP, just your normal one. It would be something that is not in the NHS remit so your regular GP would be able to charge for it.

PinkDaffodil2 · 05/06/2023 12:03

Sorry it isn’t totally clear from your post if the GP won’t see them because they’re feeling better / no red flags, or if they don’t have the capacity and have advised 111, walk in centre, A&E etc.

Original poster

Skyisbluegrassisgreen · 05/06/2023 14:22

I was told she wouldn’t be seen by the doctor for a headache and they wouldn’t give us a note. I phoned back again and spoke to a different receptionist who asked me to email my request. I’ve now received a call, a note and an appointment for her to see the GP this afternoon so all sorted, the GP was lovely and sent the note right away. I don’t know why I was told they couldn’t.

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Jaxx · 05/06/2023 15:07

Glad it was sorted. My son had Covid and misses 3 of his GCSE exams and it was so stressful, but school supported our case and since it was Covid we didn’t need GP confirmation.

If confirmation is needed - I can’t help but think Pharmacists or School nurses should also be able to confirm illness during public exams.