Sick notes

If you’re off work sick for 7 days in a row or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. The 7 days includes weekends, Bank Holidays and days that you don't normally work.  Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill, by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.

Find out more about sick notes, and how to self-certify periods of illness of less that 7 days on NHS Inform.

If a sick note is requested for a period of illness of less than 7 days, as this is not legally required in the UK, the NHS does not cover the cost of this service.  As a result, any patient requesting a sick note for a period of less than 7 days will be charged a private fee of £35 for the unnecessary work involved. 

If you are looking for your first sickline for a period of illness or incapacity, you MUST have a conversation with a doctor or other health professional before it can be legally issued.  You therefore need to contact Reception on 0131 556 2642 to request an appointment.  An appointment will not necessarily be offered for that same day if you have no urgent medical need for treatment.  As long as your call has been logged, the reason for needing a sickline given, and an appointment booked, the doctor can backdate your sickline to when you first contacted us, if it is appropriate to issue one. 

To request an extension:

• fill out a sick note extension request form
• phone or visit the surgery after 10am