News:
SICK NOTES OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
 
Information for patients and their employers
 
Do you need a doctor's certificate in the first seven days of an illness?
No, illnesses that last less than one week are usually minor and self-limiting and you may not require a visit to the doctor. It can be difficult for your doctor to judge whether or not you are incapable of working in this situation. The certificate only indicates that you attended the surgery on a specific date complaining that you had a minor illness.
In general, the Department of Health and Social Security, employers and doctors do not recommend that you attend your doctor for sickness certification alone.  Your GP is only required to issue a certificate if your absence from work through sickness lasts more than seven days.

What do you need?
For the FIRST FOUR DAYS of any illness you do not require any form of certification. (It is for you to decide if you are fit to work).

For the NEXT THREE DAYS (including Saturdays and Sundays) you must fill in a self-certification form (available from your employer).

After the FIRST SEVEN DAYS you will need a doctor's certificate and will have to attend the doctor to get a Department of Social Security sicknote, either a 'Med 3' or 'Med 5'.

What are private sick notes?
Some employers or insurance schemes will ask you to provide a private sicknote.  The surgery will charge you a £10 fee to provide you with a private 'sick note'.



Your Health

 

Health Promotion

We encourage all of our patients to share the responsibility for their health, both in preventing disease and in treating existing diseases. Prevention really is better than cure. Many of the most serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and without the need for drugs. Please feel free to discuss general health and ask for advice. 

Smoking

This is the single largest preventable cause of illness in this country.  It is a major cause of cancer, heart attacks, angina and chest disease.  If you would like advice and help in giving up, please ask.  Please remember, in company, if you’re smoking – everybody’s smoking. 

Diet

A healthy diet is not only helps control weight but also reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart attacks.  Ask the nurse for advice.

Exercise

Regular exercise helps you to prevent heart disease, control weight and make you feel better.  If you are overweight or out of shape, please ask for advice before starting vigorous exercise. 

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can in the long term increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  Reducing blood pressure can reduce these risks.  Treatment does not always require tablets.  We advise all adults to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.  If you have not had yours checked recently, please ask the nurse or doctor.

Alcohol

Remember alcohol is a drug and needs to be treated with respect.  There are upper limits for the use of alcohol – 28 units a week for a man and 21 – units for a woman.  One unit is half a pint of beer, 1 measure of spirits or one glass of wine. 

Sex

Make it happy, make it safe! Please come and discuss safe sex and contraception before problems occur.  Remember the morning after pill is available up to 72 hours after sex, not just the morning after.  However the earlier the better!
 
All members of the surgery Primary Care Team are dedicated to providing health services, which meet your requirements.  Below, details our commitments to you and how you can help us meet them.