If you are sick and off work for more than seven days, your employer will normally ask you to provide a medical certificate from your GP.

When you need a certificate can also depend on your employer's company policy on sick leave (or sickness absence). This policy should tell you how many days you can be off sick before you need to provide a Doctors certificate.

To find out about your employer's policy:

• ask your team leader or supervisor, or
• speak to someone from your human resources (HR) or personnel department

Please contact the surgery as you will need to speak to or see the GP for your first medical certificate (unless you have been in hospital).

If your certificate runs out, but you are still sick, you will need to consult the doctor again before you can get a further certificate.

Medical certificates can be back-dated so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate. If you attend an emergency appointment for the purpose of getting a medical certificate you will be asked to rebook.

If your current Doctors medical certificate runs out and you are still sick, complete this online form to request an additional medical certifciate from your GP.

Please note, if you wish to return to work before your medical certificate runs out, you do not need to see the Doctor. You should discuss a return to work phase with your employer.

Additional Sick Note Request Form

There is usually no charge for providing a medical certificate if you are off sick for more than seven days.

Some employers may request a medical certificate (e.g. from employees who have repeatedly needed to take time off sick) even if they are off work for seven days or less. This is a private non-NHS medical certificate.

For sickness of seven days or less, a charge of £20 is payable in order for us to provide a medical certificate.