Fit note by private GP

[Trac1707]

I need some advice. I have been off work with emotional stress following a loss by self-certifying. My 7th day is Wed 1st January. I was due to have a telephone consultation with my GP tomorrow (Tuesday) as i want to request 2 weeks fit note. However, they have cancelled and rescheduled my appointment for Friday 11am.
Do i need to call in sick on Thursday and Friday as my appointment is later in morning. I am hoping my GP will backdate the fit note
I was also contemplating using an online private GP service. Are the fit notes the same as ones provided by my usual GP? How quickly do these get sent to my GP practice?

You just need to phone Thursday and tell them you are still sick and that the earliest GP appointment is on Friday. GP's can backdate fit notes if there is a good reason (just explain to them). Some employers are reluctant to accept fit notes from private doctors unless you are overseas - whilst I am not sure that it is any different from your own GP there is sometimes a query around how legitmate a fit note is that you had to pay for it!

Just call in sick on Thursday and tell work you have a GP appointment and will be submitting a fit note. Your GP can backdate it so there is no gap