Can a "Fit Note" be issued without a doctors appointment?

CompBunny

Hiya,

I'm currently undergoing the appeals process for ESA.

I had a chat with my new GP last week where he agreed to write a letter of support to help with the appeal. I had meant to ask him for a fit note at the same time but I totally forgot despite having written it down on a piece of paper.

If I call the surgery, are they likely to be able to arrange a fit note to be written by my GP without an appointment? I don't want to waste his time with a whole appointment for bureaucracy. I know that my GP would be happy to write the note.

I know the obvious answer is to call and ask, but I hope some of you on here understand how small the receptionists can make you feel when asking for anything out of the ordinary, and how anxious one feels before making such a call!
Just want an idea of whether it is likely.
Thanks!

Torry_Quine

As your GP saw you last week they may well be happy to supply you with a fit-note without seeing you again. However it's up to them and with the best will in the world without contacting the surgery I can't give a definitive answer.

miduck

They can be issued, but it is up to the GP. Perhaps you could pop a short letter in for the doctor, and then call back a day later to see what he has said? It's a good way to avoid the wrath of the receptionists!

chrissyr60

Hi, I have been off work for a while now due to my condition and following my initial appointment with my GP, they have since extended my sick note from a phone call to the surgery several times without having to see the GP. I imagine it depends if your situation like mine is an ongoing diagnosed condition. I do understand what you mean though regarding the receptionists but as my husband says to me, the GP works FOR us so you should not be made to feel bad about asking for an extended fit/sick note.

Poppie68

Receptionists get requests for fit notes several times a day over the phone, so it's nothing out of the ordinary at all. You GP seems to support your ESA claim so i can't see you having any problems doing it this way.

CompBunny

Thankyou for the support, I feel calm enough now to make the call... will do it right now before anxiety sets in again!

zoominatorone

chrissyr60 wrote: »

Hi, I have been off work for a while now due to my condition and following my initial appointment with my GP, they have since extended my sick note from a phone call to the surgery several times without having to see the GP. I imagine it depends if your situation like mine is an ongoing diagnosed condition. I do understand what you mean though regarding the receptionists but as my husband says to me, the GP works FOR us so you should not be made to feel bad about asking for an extended fit/sick note.

You say the GP works FOR you.

Really?

Does that mean they should never ever say no to someone's request for a sick/fit note incase they offend the patient?:eek:

miduck

chrissyr60 wrote: »

I do understand what you mean though regarding the receptionists but as my husband says to me, the GP works FOR us so you should not be made to feel bad about asking for an extended fit/sick note.

The GP does not work for you, they provide services for the NHS. Do you own the NHS?

CompBunny

I got through to the one nice receptionist, thank goodness - she has passed on the message to my GP who will write the note, thankyou again MSE-ers. How silly to be that wound up about a simple fit-note, it doesn't help that I'd been worrying all day about a gobble-de-gook letter from DWP. Anyway, all sorted now and thankyou very much xxx

clemmatis

miduck wrote: »

The GP does not work for you, they provide services for the NHS. Do you own the NHS?

Yes. We all own the NHS.

Poppie68

miduck wrote: »

The GP does not work for you, they provide services for the NHS. Do you own the NHS?

Glad someone else picked up on this....i'm that gobsmacked i tried for 5 mins to write a reply but chin was still on the floor.