You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or via the link below:
If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work – ‘Fit Note’
The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury. For more informationStatutory Sick Pay (SSP) see the link below:
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.
Examples include the following:
Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms
Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
Private sick notes
Vaccination certificates
To Whom It May Concern Letter (straightforward support statement of fact)
The charges are based on British Medical Association (BMA) recommended charges to patient for work, which may be done by a GP. Our staff will be happy to advise you further on non-NHS services available, arrangements and charges. Here is a list of basic fees.
Please note – from 1.10.2020 the fees below will apply
Non-NHS Fees
The following is a list of Non-NHS Services/Medical forms, the GP’s at Nuffield House Surgery DO NOT undertake:
Please note: Above list not a complete list of Non-NHS Services/Medical forms. GPs do not have a contractual obligation to complete Non-NHS ServicesMedical forms.
Why do GPs charge fees?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions. Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees. In other cases it is because the service isn’t covered by the NHS, for example, medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records. The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their patients:
Certain travel vaccinations
Private medical insurance reports
Holiday cancellation forms
Referral for private care forms
Letters requested by or on behalf of, the patient
In certain instances fitness to work forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
Medical reports for an insurance company
Some reports for the DSS/Benefits agency
Examinations of local authority employees
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority of GPs work up to 60 hours a week and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time.
I only need the doctor’s signature-what is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police
Travel Vaccinations
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below.
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Travel Health Questionnaire
If you are planning to travel abroad, please complete the online questionnaire. One of our nurses will then review your vaccination record and medical history and will phone you. You do not need to make an appointment. A nurse will do this if they feel it necessary when they speak to you. You may only need a copy of current World Health Organisation recommendations
Please note – travel consultations are longer than an average consultation. If you are unable to attend, and do not let us know and your appointment is wasted, please be aware that we do not have the resources to rebook this, and so you will then need to attend a private travel clinic.
To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form which MUST be returned to Practice Nurse at least two working days before your appointment.
If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click the button below for more information.
Patients aged between 16 and 75 years who have not attended for a consultation or a clinic within the previous 3 years are entitled to have a health check. If you wish to have a health check, please make an appointment with a practice nurse.
Patients 75 Years and Over
Patients aged 75 years and over are entitled to an annual health check. If you wish to have a health check, please make an appointment with a practice nurse.
Minor Illness Clinic
A practice nurse runs a minor illness clinic, by appointment, to help doctors with patients complaining of an acute short term illness, such as cough, sore throat, earache, pains.
Child Immunisations
Clinics held on Tuesdays at 14:00, Wednesdays at 10:30 & Thursdays at 15:30. No appointment necessary.
Child under 5 years old who are temporarily registered with the surgery should also attend these immunisation sessions.
