Dear Patients,
We’ve recently received several concerns/ inappropiate patient demands regarding Fit Notes, particularly about not receiving a certificate on the same day it was requested. These concerns often relate to worries about potential loss of income.
Please note that issuing or renewing a Fit Note is not considered an urgent same-day medical need.
For continuity of care, Fit Note requests should ideally be reviewed by your named GP or the clinician who originally issued it. There may be a wait for this individual to become available.
We understand the anxiety caused by delayed pay. However, employers are not legally allowed to withhold pay without proper grounds or your consent. As a healthcare provider, our priority is to assess clinical needs—we are not equipped to provide legal or employment advice. For financial or employment-related concerns, please contact your employer’s HR department, Citizens Advice, or ACAS.
Where possible, please submit Fit Note requests via the accuRx online portal. This helps us respond more efficiently and provides you with a record of your request, which can serve as evidence for your employer. You can use the NHS App to download this proof. We feel you should not be financially penalised (wages withheld) whilst waiting for the NHS to review your request inline iwth appriopiate routine fit note processing timelines.
Fit Notes can and will be backdated if appropiate. A face-to-face assessment may be required prior to issuing, depending on your condition.
For full details on the Fit Note process, including guidance you can share with your employer, please refer to: Sick/Fit Note Process – St Paul’s Surgery
Thank you for your understanding,
St Paul’s Surgery