Confused - signed off work

[larazade]

Hi all,

I've been struggling with my mental health for months now, tried to overdose in July and ended up taking a consistently high dose of cocodamol for months after this (recently weaned myself off).

Honestly, my head feels like a mess at the moment. Lots of stress on top of what feels like a clouded head.

Went to my GP on Friday (after having Weds and Thurs) off work. He gave me a leaflet and said to go away and think about it... but did say he couldn't sign me off yet because I hadn't been off a week already.

Now I'm confused about what to do. The thing I'm certain of is that I need time off work to clear my head. How do I go about getting signed off? Will he be able to do it based on the last appointment, do I need a new appointment, when would I need to go?

I think he explained some of this but, to be honest, I didn't take it all in. Can someone help?

Thanks

Anyone?

Sorry you're feeling low. You can self certify for the first 7 days (including days off) so you just need to extend your current absence. The day before you would be due back at work (Tuesday if you had Wednesday off) make a same day doctors apt. Explain that you've self certified for 7 days but don't feel ready to back tomorrow. They can then sign you off.

If you feel you need to be away from the workplace, then clearly don’t go back in. You won’t get a bite now unless you have a new appointment. After a week has past see your GP again and discuss how you are feeling. You won’t get better overnight but taking work off the table for a few weeks (if your GP signs you off) might help ease some of the symptoms you have. Best wishes!

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/caring-carers-and-long-term-conditions/when-do-i-need-a-fit-note/

This breaks it down a bit better.

I think when this happened to me I phoned up and said I wasn’t ready to go back and got a 2 week sick note I could just call in and pick up, but may be misremembering as it’s w while ago.

Get a fit note from your doctor, you might need an appointment to see them again, ask when you ring up. Then send it to your employer.

Thank you

Can they produce the letter there and then or will I need to go back for it or for them to send it to me?

Sorry, just panicking that I'm going to be in a situation where I've self certified for 7 days but then have no sick note

Your dr can issue a fit note after five days off I was told. The dr needs to be sure that you need time off because of (mental) illness rather than needing a break (which should come from annual leave), as long as you meet that criteria than you should be fine - call the surgery the day before you need it to find out if you need to call at 8.30am for an appointment. Unfortunately because some people do try and work the system the dr does have to ask lots of questions, it's not to be nosy, it's to satisfy the rules are being met.