Need sick note for work but can't get through to GP

[movingmountains73]

Stressing here. I'll try and keep it short.

My job is causing me a lot of stress. My anxiety is through the roof and I can't sleep or eat properly. I'm constantly on edge and just can't relax. I've decided I won't be returning but need to find another job before I can leave. I know I can self certify for 7 days before I need to provide a sick note from the GP. I've been off since last Friday. The issue is I'm struggling to get through to them to book an appointment. You have to ring at 8am which I have been doing since Monday but it doesn't even put me in a queue, just says the reception team are dealing with other calls and to try again later. I have to ring work every morning which is making things worse as I've had to lie and say I've had a stomach bug. I don't want to tell them what's actually wrong until I have the sick note. What am I suppose to do if I can't get a sick note after the 7 days is up? Does anyone know, from an employment perspective what they can do if you can't get one straight away?

It's horrible for you, and I sympathise. My DH was in a similar situation a few years ago.

But I don't think what I said was unreasonable. You might not get paid indefinitely if your are off sick, your employer might get arsey if you are off sick but going for interviews and a new employer might not view it well either.

It's a crap situation to be in, for whatever reason.

Ignore the shitty comments on here OP. Don’t let these idiots get to you.

Firstly it is not only GPs that can issue fit notes. For example nurses and pharmacists can as well. So you have alternative routes.

Secondly if you cannot get an appointment with your own GP then call 111. They can arrange for your GP to book an appointment or for you to see another clinic.

And yes time off work due to stress is important. It is no one’s business if you use that time to seek other employment opportunities. I am taking my employer to an employment tribunal so can totally understand how bad things can get and how you may be left with no other option. My GP is totally supportive of this, as he understands my health will not improve until I am out of that environment. Don’t let the idiots on here, make you doubt yourself.

Where has OP posted that they will get paid indefinitely whilst off sick?

Her employer is already “arsey” if OP is unwell due to work related stress. I don’t think OP’s priority should be reducing her employer’s level of “arsey-ness”, she is unwell due to their actions and wants to leave. You can already infer that a line has been crossed and OP needs to look after themselves. It is not normal for work to make you ill.

A new employer may or may not care about OP seeking alternative employment. Ultimately if one workplace was bad, it doesn’t mean all her future workplaces will be bad. Your statement, might make OP feel trapped. It is a crap situation to be in but she has options and I feel your post is fairly unsupportive.

I’ve never had to get one before so this could be shit advice, but can you get them through those private online doctors? Think it’s about £30 or so which might be worth it to help you stop stressing. Also sorry if this is a silly question, but I take it you’ve tried the NHS app if your doctors uses it? Our surgery releases appointments at 8:30 and it’s piss easy to get one via the app at that time.

@movingmountains73 you can sometimes apply to your surgery online to get one, it wasn’t
obvious on our surgery site but found it by accident looking for something else. Might have been under e-consult. But otherwise you can pay for one privately (various online around £25).

For the GP issue - you might do better by calling later in the day even though that's not the time to call for an appointment. You'll at least be able to get through to the receptionist, explain you are having a mental health crisis and need an urgent appointment. They are not just going to sign you off without seeing you and discussing the problem and potential solutions.
If you are not able to get an appointment before your 7th calendar day of absence the procedure is to contact your employer, tell them you are still unwell but unable to get a GP appointment and will provide the dr's note as soon as you are able.

For the work issue - I understand the problem and why you've come up with your own solution but you are really not helping yourself by pretending to have a stomach sickness for a week. If you are too anxious calling your line manager each day then arrange a call with HR to explain the real problem, email them if you don't feel able to say it. There may be other arrangements that they can put in place that will help.
But to just take indefinite sick leave before resigning, without actually addressing the problem or giving your employer the chance to remedy it, is silly.

And where did I say she did?

FFS - I suggested she check her contract to find out what sick pay she would get.

Why is it a an issue that I suggested checking that her preferred course of action is actually affordable for her?

DH had six months full pay.

My friend who has breast cancer got 1 month and has been on SSP for a year.