Please answer this very basic question

[Uhvee]

So son is a pilot for a budget airline. Stupidly he has not registered with his local gp surgery in the south. He is still with university gp surgery up in Newcastle.

Son has now contracted an ear infection. He went to a walk in centre and was only able to see a nurse who said he should not fly. Nurse told him only his gp can issue a fit note.

Airline is requiring a fit note.

Son is happy to pay for a private go/ENT. Would they be able to issue a note? Son is under impression this is not possible.

Any help would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/caring-carers-and-long-term-conditions/can-i-get-a-fit-note-without-seeing-a-healthcare-professional/

A private GP can issue a sick note. Cost will vary depending on the GP - suggest he phones and they will advise cost.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/registering-with-a-gp-outside-your-area/

Can he not self-certify for 7 days? Then use that time to organise a private consultation for a fit note (and register with a local GP)?

Surely a private GP could give a fit note. But they might not for an ear infection in a pilot, it can be horribly painful when the cabin pressure changes maybe even burst an eardrum.

Thanks I have screenshotted similar to the link but for some reason son is adamant it has to be HIS gp. Apparently someone he spoke to confirmed this

A private GP would be his GP at that point. Ring up the private GP and ask?

Yup, this is the plan initially but his local go is going to take at least two weeks to register him so planning ahead

Is there any reason his own GP can't issue one over the phone?

Could he not just register with the local GP as an out of town visitor?

struggling to get an appt, I believe

Very concerned as I’m scared he has caused damage, think it has been a niggle for the past week but blown up today

the local gp secretary said there was nothing they could do - so assume not

when i have an ear infection, it bloody hurts and is distracting

worrying the airline wants him to fly an aeroplane like that

Well now that it hurts he doesn’t want to fly, is trying to get the note for his base manager. He said his ear was off/tingly last week but not painful. He has got over a bad cold so assumed it was related. He was off for a week for the cold but he has still sounded raspy despite feeling better.

To be clear, the airline is supporting his decision to be off as it his at his discretion but he needs the note

My doctor's surgery also uses the Livi app, where you can get an online consultation with a doctor (anywhere in the country) over the phone. Might be worth asking the GP that he is registered with if they use the Livi service. Or you can google Livi to check online if this is an option for his doctor. If he explains to the doctor on the phone appointment that he has already seen a nurse, so doesn't need to be seen in person, they might be able to issue a fit note.

As other people have said, surely he can self-certify to start with.

Does his GP do online consultations? (ours does do e-consult and you can request a fit note, usually a fit note is then emailed to us)

Its usually GP who writes the fit note. How quickly can he join a GP in the South? The reason being that Fit Notes can be backdated, so he shouldnt worry just yet.

I have had fit notes sent by email by NHS GP.

The GP he is currently with should be able to see he has been examined and advice given by fellow health professional.

Thanks so much.

Son just texted me that he is struggling to get hold of his Newcastle gp. But will keep trying.

Thanks to everyone who has posted. We were going around in circles getting v confused

To echo what others should say, yes a private GP can issue a sick note. So can some pharmacists or a nurse.

He can self cert for a week

And yes, standard is 7 day self certification. A GP can also backdate a fit note, if his employer would accept this.

His local gp is saying it takes a minimum of 2 weeks for the registration process to be completed

Also if the nurse at the walk in centre was definitely a registered nurse and not a HCA/trainee, she’s talking bollocks. Nurses can issue fit notes. He should call the walk in centre back.