Getting a Fit Note From a Private GP
When illness prevents you from working, proper documentation protects both your health and your employment.
Understanding how fit notes work and how to obtain them reduces stress during already difficult times.
What Is a Fit Note
Since 2010, sick notes have been officially called fit notes or Statements of Fitness for Work.
They are medical documents confirming either that you are not fit for work or that you may be fit for work with certain adjustments.
Fit notes are issued by registered medical practitioners based on clinical assessment. They are legal documents that employers must accept.
When Do You Need One
For the first seven days of illness, you do not need a fit note. Self certification covers this period. You simply tell your employer you were unwell.
From day eight onwards, your employer can reasonably request a fit note. Most employment contracts specify this requirement.
Some employers request fit notes earlier for short absences. While they can ask, you are not legally obliged to provide one for absences under seven days.
What Private GPs Can and Cannot Do
Private GPs can issue fit notes just like NHS GPs. They have identical legal standing.
We can assess your condition, determine how it affects your ability to work, and issue appropriate documentation.
We cannot issue fit notes on demand without proper assessment. Fit notes are clinical documents reflecting genuine medical judgment, not paperwork you can simply purchase.
We cannot backdate fit notes significantly. We can only certify what we assess. If you were ill last week but did not see a doctor, we can note your reported history but cannot certify illness we did not witness.
The Assessment Process
When you attend for a fit note assessment, the doctor will ask about your symptoms, how they affect your daily function, and specifically how they prevent you from performing your job.
Understanding your job matters. An office worker with a broken leg might work from home. A manual labourer with the same injury genuinely cannot work. The same condition can have different work implications.
Physical examination may be appropriate depending on your condition.
Based on assessment, the doctor determines whether you are not fit for work or may be fit with adjustments.
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Not Fit for Work
If your condition genuinely prevents you from working, even with adjustments, the fit note will state you are not fit for work.
It will specify the condition and the recommended duration of absence. This is the doctor's clinical judgment of how long recovery typically takes. You should be reviewed if you remain unwell beyond this period.
Your employer cannot require you to return to work while covered by a valid fit note stating you are not fit.
May Be Fit for Work
Sometimes people can work if certain adjustments are made. Reduced hours, different duties, workplace modifications, or phased return.
The fit note can specify these recommendations. Your employer should consider them, though implementing them is not always possible depending on business circumstances.
If your employer cannot accommodate the suggested adjustments, the fit note is treated as if it says not fit for work.
What the Fit Note Contains
The document includes your name and the date of assessment, whether you are not fit for work or may be fit with adjustments, the nature of your condition (as much detail as you consent to share), how long the fit note covers, any recommended adjustments, and the doctor's signature and registration details.
You can request that minimal condition details appear on the note if you prefer your employer not to know specifics. The doctor can use general terms while still providing valid documentation.
Duration of Fit Notes
For the first six months of a condition, fit notes can cover up to three months at a time. After six months, they can cover longer periods if the condition warrants.
For acute illness, shorter periods are typical. A week or two for minor infections. Longer for more significant conditions.
The duration reflects clinical judgment, not your preference. Doctors aim to cover the expected recovery period without unnecessarily extending absence.
Returning to Work
You do not need a fit to return note. When you feel ready to return and your fit note has expired or you feel better before it expires, you can simply return to work.
If you want to return before a fit note expires, you can. The note is a recommendation, not a prison sentence. Discuss with your employer about returning earlier if you feel ready.
If you remain unwell when your fit note expires, you need a new assessment and potentially an extension.
Cost of Private Fit Notes
The fit note itself is not a separate charge. It is part of the consultation.
You pay for the medical consultation, typically £150 to £180. If a fit note is clinically appropriate, it is issued as part of that consultation.
We do not charge extra for the documentation. However, we also do not issue fit notes without proper consultation. You cannot pay just for paperwork without assessment.
What If the Doctor Disagrees
Sometimes patients expect fit notes that doctors do not consider clinically appropriate.
If assessment does not reveal a condition preventing work, a fit note will not be issued. This is not about being difficult. It is about maintaining the integrity of medical certification.
We will explain our reasoning. We will discuss your situation. But ultimately fit notes reflect clinical judgment, and doctors must be honest in their assessments.
Appealing or Disputing
If you disagree with a fit note assessment, you can seek a second opinion from another doctor.
Employers occasionally ask for second opinions on lengthy absences, which is their right.
If there is genuine dispute about fitness to work, occupational health assessment may be arranged by your employer.
Private Fit Notes and Employers
Employers cannot refuse to accept a fit note simply because it was issued privately rather than by the NHS.
The legal standing is identical. The medical assessment is equivalent. Private fit notes are valid documentation.
Some employers are unfamiliar with private fit notes and may initially question them. Simply explaining that the note was issued by a GMC registered doctor following proper clinical assessment should resolve any confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a fit note for mental health conditions?
Absolutely. Mental health conditions are valid medical reasons for being unfit to work. Depression, anxiety, burnout, and other mental health issues can be assessed and certified like any physical condition.
What if my employer pressures me to return despite the fit note?
A valid fit note stating you are not fit for work provides legal protection. Employers who pressure return against medical advice may face employment law consequences. Seek advice from ACAS or a solicitor if this happens.
Can I request changes to what appears on the fit note?
You can request minimal condition details if you prefer privacy. The doctor can use general terms while still providing valid certification.
How quickly can I get a fit note?
Same day appointments mean same day fit notes when clinically appropriate. Contact us in the morning and have documentation by afternoon.