How to get a statement of fitness to work
A fit note, officially called a Statement of Fitness for Work, is a medical certificate issued by a doctor or healthcare professional. It provides evidence that you are not fit for work, or that you may be fit for work if certain adjustments can be made by your employer.
If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification.
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
If you are sick for more than 7 days, your employer may ask you to provide medical evidence to support a claim for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
It is your employer's responsibility to decide whether you are incapable of work. A fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) from your doctor is strong evidence of your illness and will normally be accepted unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise.
If you have been treated in hospital, the hospital should provide any fit note you need, including any period of recovery immediately after you leave. If you need a further fit note after this, your GP can provide one if appropriate.
Fit notes help explain how your illness or injury affects your ability to work. They can confirm that you are not fit for work, or that you may be fit for work with appropriate support or adjustments from your employer.
In some circumstances, you may also be able to provide evidence from another healthcare professional, such as a dentist. Your employer will decide whether this evidence is acceptable. If they require further medical evidence, they may ask for a fit note from your GP.
To request a staement of fitness to work (sick note) please complete an admin request form online with SystmConnect using the button below. Under the Admin request heading at SystmConnect you will see a link to ask for a fit note.
More information
The NHS UK website has more information on getting a fit note.
The GOV.uk website has further information on statutory sick pay.