Lowther Medical Centre

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Requests for Sick notes / Self Isolation Notes for Coronavirus (COVID 19)

Requests for certification of absence from work may fall into five categories:

1. Personally affected – isolating for seven days

2. Personally affected – remaining unwell for over seven days

3. Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days as per government advice

4. At risk group – following government advice

5. Those in full time education

1. Personally affected – isolating for seven days

Patients should self-certify for the first seven days as normal if they are unfit to work.

They do not need to contact their GP.

2. Personally affected – remaining unwell for over seven days

If patients remain unwell and unfit to work over seven days, advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk and complete an online self-assessment. The patient may be asked to call 111 for further advice on the next steps regarding their illness/ fitness to work.

They do not need to contact their GP.

3. Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days as per government advice

4. At risk group – following government advice

GPs cannot and are not the gatekeeper of the statutory sick pay system. Employers are responsible for putting in place arrangements for home/remote working where this is possible. Where it is not, the employee may self-certify and return to work following the relevant absence which their employer may authorise as per government advice. Where they do become unwell during or after this time, point 1 and 2 applies.

They do not need to contact their GP.

5. Those in full time education

There is no requirement to issue certification to schools or colleges to confirm absence. These organisations must work with parents and students to ensure that any absence is appropriately recorded, obviating the need for a ‘doctor’s note’.

They do not need to contact their GP.

Sick note requests – By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. For any period of illness less than 7 days you can self-certify. You do not need to contact your GP.

In light of the emerging COVID-19 crisis it is likely a vast amount of people will be self-isolating in accordance with advice provided by the Government and Public Health. In these cases, your GP will not be able to issue you a sick note. We expect your employer to be sympathetic towards the circumstances.

General Practice is under a lot of pressure and needs to prioritise the healthcare needs of patients who are acutely unwell. We hope that you understand the current situation and sorry for any inconvenience.

Further guidance and a Self isolation note is available on the NHS website – click on the link below

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/