Pregnant freelancer being asked for doc's note to 'prove' her health? (Sorry, long....)

[Rosebud05]

Don't know if anyone can help me with this one... I work as a freelance trainer and at the beginning of the year I let an organisation who I've got a day of work booked with know that I'll (hopefully)be 38 weeks pregnant by the date booked (out of courtesy), though still planning to do the work contracted. They suggested that we bring the work forward, which we did, and I was pleased that this was possible as 38 weeks is pushing it a bit.
Anyway, I've just received an e-mail saying that they've done a 'pregnancy risk assessment' and require me to sign a declaration saying that I'm aware of the risks and to provide a supporting note from my GP saying that I'll be fit for work on that day. I'm a tadge confused as a) I'm not an 'employee', so no risk assessment is necessary b) shouldn't one be involved in one's own 'risk assessment' and c)although I'm happy to sign a declaration, I can't see that my GP is going to be able/willing to write a letter saying that I'll be fit for work on a particular date in 2 months time. I thought that one was considered fit for work UNLESS you were signed off?
Does this sound every so slightly bonkers bordering on the discriminatory to you, or should I just trudge around GP/midwives begging for letters?
Cheers!

I can't imagine a GP would sign any such letter.

Don't know the legal implications of such a thing but having worked with GPs for many years I can't think of any that would provide a letter like that.

My thoughts exactly. GPs tend to provide sick notes not well notes. I know that some airlines require medical certs stating that the woman is fit to fly and that labour isn't imminent, but it seems a bit excessive for one days work. As a freelancer, I don't have anything to gain by hiding any ill health (as an employee, I might gain sick pay, for example). If I don't turn up and do the job, I don't get paid.
What on earth should I do?

Can you tell them you'll sign the declaration, but won't be able to get a note from your GP? The ball is in their court then.

I was thinking that. Maybe I should ask my GP who, as you say, will most likely say no (entirely reasonably as she's not providing my antenatal care nor does she have a crystal ball to see how my health will be on 24th april!), and I can convey this back to them. I guess I don't want them to cancel the work for a variety of reasons. I thought I was being courteous by telling them, but it was foolish in retrospect.

Maybe if I spell out to them that I'm not an employee and that if I don't turn up and do the work I'd fully expect not to get paid, they'll get it?

Actually I think it is great that they have considered your PG. I often have to RA temp workers that are PG and they are that we bother. BUT we like to make sure anyone coming to work on our site is safe and we have never had to stop anyone working just adjusted a few things to accommodate them.

The letter from the GP is perhaps extreme. I suggest you offer to self certificte in some way on your arrival. A kind of "if I go in to labour I won't hold you responsible" kind of thing?

What type of training is it? Meeting room talking or active demo of something extreme?

On the other hand perhaps they want to use it as an "out" to cancel without paying?

I've just had a closer look at the 'risk assessment' and the risks identified are noise and standing for long periods of time. Given that I'll be training no more than 16 people and usually sit down for a large part of the training, I haven't a bloody clue what they're talking about. I think that I shall point this out to them........

What decibelles are they saying the noise level is at? You can wear ear plugs and a thick jumper to stop LO jumping too much.

Standing is no big issue as long as you get the breaks any normal and fit person is entitled to (assuming no varicose viens, high blood pressure etc).

Thank-you, Callme. I know what you mean about having considered my pregnancy and I was pleased when they suggested bringing the date forward so that it wouldn't be so late in my pregnancy, and thought this was accommodation enough. I suppose my thoughts were if they were seriously considering my health, wouldn't they have involved me in the risk assessment (or at least let me know that they were doing one!)?
I have wondered if they were trying to get out of the booking, though they could cancel now without incurring a fee, so that's unlikely.
It is jut one days work, no show, no fee, so a doctor's note seems ridiculous the more I think about it.

Then I suggest you call them Monday and talk to whoever did the RA.

Perhaps it was an over zealous H&S officer

Hopefully you can work it out with them.

It's the doc note bit I don't get. I'm very happy to sign a declaration (no other commissioner has asked me to do this, BTW), but I truly don't understand how I can ask my doctor to write a 'well note'. I also don't really understand where they think the risk is in people talking (noise).
thanks for your time, Sidge and Callme.

Yes, I was just thinking that I'd call to talk it through, rather than respond by e-mail.

An update..... I spoke to the person who wrote the e-mail today and said that I am very happy to sign a declaration of my health if they want to cover themselves, but don't understand what they require from my GP, as generally one is considered healthy until proved otherwise. He didn't really have a clue what he wanted, though after consultation with a higher authority, agreed that my own declaration will be sufficient.
Just goes to show that a piece of paper with 'Risk Assessment' written on it is a liability in the wrong person's hands.......
Thanks to all who replied.