Sick notes

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.

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS Inform.

MED3 forms (sick notes) are only provided for absences longer than 7 days. A clinical letter may be provided to state your unfitness for work if appropriate, for a fee.

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

To request a new Medical Certificate (MED3):

To request an extension to a current Medical Certificate (MED3):

  • Telephone the surgery between 9am to 5pm
  • Complete a sick note request form by clicking on this link
    • This form is only to be used if you have already been seen regarding this condition by the surgery or the hospital.
    • MED3 forms cannot be forward dated and will be issued on the required date only
      • Early requests will be deferred to the date of your current certificate expiry

Page last reviewed: 16 March 2026
Page created: 16 January 2025