do you have to self certify before you get a sick note

kink

I am always on the ask on here but the title says it all really. Do you legally have to self cert before doctor will issue a sick note.
Many thanks in anticipation of your wonderful knowledge
K

System

Every doctor i've seen has said they won't give out a sick note until the first 7 days of self certification have passed. I don't think they are legally obliged to give one out in the first 7 days

rupee99

For SSP purposes self-certification is sufficient for the first seven days; however in certain circumstances employers require a medical certificate earlier. This would be typically where they suspect malingering on the part of the employee. I believe GP's would be entitled to charge, but, strictly speaking, unless they expected the illness to last more than 7 days it would be illegal, technically theft, if they used the NHS form.

Lady007

rupee99 wrote: »

For SSP purposes self-certification is sufficient for the first seven days; however in certain circumstances employers require a medical certificate earlier. This would be typically where they suspect malingering on the part of the employee. I believe GP's would be entitled to charge, but, strictly speaking, unless they expected the illness to last more than 7 days it would be illegal, technically theft, if they used the NHS form.

Further more if the GP does charge, explain this to your employer and get their agreement to reinmburse you of the cost of the certificate. Also check whether your employers actually have a right to ask for a GP cert. Check your employers Sickness/ Absence policy

LucyTheDwarf

My doctor will give them out earlier, even though you don't need one til day 8. But that's probably because he charges £13 each for them!!!

(If memory serves me correctly, this £13 buys you the Doc writing your name, the date you're fit for work, and what's wrong with you - bargain, not)

System

ive not had a problem with my gp, ive needed a sick note once and got it on day 1 and there was no charge so i guess it depends on the gp .

Sequeena

When getting over my brothers death my doctor gave me a sick note no questions asked and didn't charge me.

My OH was recently ill (extremely heavy nosebleeds and a trapped tendon in his shoulder). His doctor told him he would need to self certify for 7 days.

So I guess it depends on the GP and the severity of your condition?

Uncertain

CHRISSYG wrote: »

ive not had a problem with my gp, ive needed a sick note once and got it on day 1 and there was no charge so i guess it depends on the gp .

That has been my experience too.

I suspect most GPs will do this if they feel it is in the interest of the patient (which is of course their duty).

However, if it is just to satisfy an awkward employer who is demanding more than the law requires, then there is no reason at all why they should not charge a fee.

snapping_crocodile

I think it also depends on the reason you are off sick. If it is something that obviously means you are going to be off for longer than a week eg a broken leg, if you presented to your GP on day 1 I would like to think most would be sensible enough to give you a sick note straight away rather than wasting their time, and your time, and ulitmately an appointment someone else could use, by asking you to self-certify and come back in a week :rolleyes:

clairec79

It depends on the reason, I collapsed in work and was admitted to hospital for 4 days, so my sick note started at day 1

GPs tend to guess whether or not you'll be fit within a week, if you are they won't sign you off (because legally you can do so), if to start with they can see you are going to be ill for longer they may give you one for longer - I was written one for a month striaght off