Self Certification Update

Fit Note Update

Doctors issue fit notes to people to provide evidence of the advice they have given about their fitness for work. They record details of the functional effects of their patient’s condition so the patient and their employer can consider ways to help them return to work.

However, a temporary change to all fit notes has been made. This is Guidance for GPs, employers, hospital doctors and occupational health practitioners on using fit notes (statements of fitness for work).

The Department for Work and Pensions have stated for Statutory Sick pay (SSP), where employees go off sick on or after the 10th of December 2021, employers can only ask employees for proof of sickness (such as a fit note) after 28 days of sickness. This includes non-working days. Proof of sickness cannot be requested earlier than 28 days. Therefore individuals can now self certify for the first 28 days of any period of sickness absence.

Additionally, fit notes do not have to be provided for DWP benefit claims until the 27th of January; this will not affect claims to benefit. 

These changes are to give GP’s more time to work on the Covid-19 booster programme. However, if you are concerned about your health condition, you should continue to see your GP.