Trying to get a sick note for time off work to grieve dads death.

[fancyabru]

My dad past away a few days ago. I need some time out of work but won't receive any pay without a sick note from my doctors. They have no appointments with the clinician for a couple of weeks... obviously if I wait all that time I won't have any sick pay. Is there a way around this? I don't really know what to do, I have no holidays left and Christmas is around the corner.

Sorry for your loos, I lost my mum recently.

I phoned the surgery and explained. Said I needed a sick/fit note and asked if I need an appointment or telephone conversation. The receptionist phoned me back later that day and said my sick/fit note was waiting for me to collect.

Same here. Didn't need to see a doctor. I offered them my mums name and date of birth so that they could check if they wanted that she had actually passed away, not sure if they ever did, but the sick note was sent to me via text with a code to login and see it, I then sent it on to my employer.

GP here. It’s true that grief is not an illness but it absolutely can make people unfit to work - tearfulness, poor concentration, poor motivation, low mood etc all come as part of grief and make it impossible for some people to work through it.
Previous posters are correct that you can self certify for 7 days. I’d phone reception and ask them for the best way forward, it’ll vary between surgeries but there will be a way to deal with this. And sick notes can be backdated if there’s evidence that the patient was unfit before the days they’re seen - for example you can see they booked tbe appointment 2 weeks ago or there’s a message from reception from that date.
And I’m very sorry for your loss. Please take as good care of yourself as you can manage.

You can fuck right off

Almost every time I have supported a member of staff through a bereavement I have quietly suggested they get a sick line. The GP will usually just put “bereavement” as reason for absence. It’s never been an issue. The person clearly is not in a fit state to work.

I am so sorry for your loss.
I spent 2 weeks trying to get through to my surgery. Then I did an e consult through the nhs app and got a call back in a couple of days. Would that be an option for you?

I'm so so sorry for your loss

I needed 4/5 weeks off after my father's sudden passing as I didn't have any close family, and my GP did me a note no questions asked !

Can you advise it's an urgent call back you need?

My GP I have to wait a few weeks for appointments but they do call backs for urgent triage and quick things ( like medication review etc) they shouldn't need to see you in person for this it should be able to be done over the phone at this stage

I thought you could self certify for a period of time?

Sorry for your loss @fancyabru , just call or pop into the surgery and explain the situation- you really don’t need an appt . If your gp has an online form use that .

I have reported Afteropening’s incredibly insensitive post. Posters like them are why I don’t post on Mumsnet. Talk about making someone feel worse than they already do. They should be ashamed

OP, I am so sorry for your loss, I hope you find a way to take some time to grieve for the loss of your Dad. Sending love x

Sorry for your loss. You should absolutely be able to get this from your GP, but if you can’t face the hassle, you can now get them online but you have to pay. This one at Pharmacy2U was in all the papers yesterday…

https://medical-letters.pharmacy2u.co.uk/products/category/3

Yes you can, it's 7 calendar days. Anything more and you need a fit for work note (sick note)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I kept on working after my parent died. Didn't miss a day. Commuted in with tears leaking the whole way, zombie mode at work, cried all the way home.

I really regret it. Wasn't functioning at all and though you can stave off grief, at some point you do have to face the loss. And when it comes it still hits you like a fucking train.

I am so sorry OP, really. I didn’t think with my stupid comment, sorry

You can self certify via gov.uk - I used this service recently... www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick-pay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2

If more than 7 days require a fit note

I'd phone the surgery back & explain what you need. I know our surgery will often just issue fit notes without seeing a doctor - depending on the reason. They might issue you with one initially without an appointment. I was signed off when my Dad died simply for bereavement

I'd definitely get back on to them. The last thing you need is extra stress

The fit note can be back dated though.

First week off is with a self-certificate. After that it's only if you are ill - for bereavement would usually be compassionate leave, which may or may not be paid.

Don't forget that if you say that you have anxiety/depression, as others have said, that will then stay on your records and need to be declared whenever you take out insurance, get a new job etc.

sorry for your loss xx

This is not correct. You do not need to declare any illness, condition or share any info from your medical records when you get a new job.

Depends on the job. Plenty will have a medical as part of the process.

Sorry for your loss.

Remember that you can self-certify for 1 week without needing a fit note from a GP.

I would suggest calling in sick and saying that you are having difficulty coping with grief and stress, then after that make an appointment with your GP if you need more time and get yourself a fit note.

Not being able to cope/being overcome by grief is a perfectly natural response.

I heard in our team meeting this morning that someone has just lost their son which is of course horrific and they will be off for at least the next two weeks.

We are human beings, not machines....

You can use compassionate leave OR be signed off by GP with bereavement if unfit for work. Just like if you were suffering from stress or anxiety. Most businesses only offer 2-3 days compassionate leave & it’s not always paid.

GP can definitely backdate your sickline. Sorry for what you're going through, OP. X