Few things are more stressful than being unwell and worrying about work at the same time. The good news is that in 2026, getting a sick note in the UK is more straightforward than ever, and you do not even need to leave your home.
In the UK, if you are too ill to work, you can self-certify your absence for the first seven calendar days. From the eighth calendar day of illness, you are legally required to provide your employer with a medical certificate to continue receiving Statutory Sick Pay.
Since 2010, the official document issued by doctors in the UK has been called a Statement of Fitness for Work, commonly known as a fit note. The key difference is that a fit note does not simply declare you unfit for work — your doctor can advise that you “may be fit for work” with certain adjustments, such as amended duties, altered hours, or a phased return.
Yes. GMC-registered doctors working in private practice can issue fit notes following a genuine clinical assessment via video consultation. The fit note issued by a private GP carries the same legal validity as one issued by an NHS doctor.
Rather than waiting days for an NHS appointment, you can book a same-day video consultation with a private GP, have your condition assessed, and receive your fit note by email, often within hours.
During the first six months of illness, a GP can typically issue a fit note for up to three months at a time. For short-term illnesses, your fit note might cover one to two weeks. For more complex conditions, your doctor may issue a longer certificate with a review date.
Legally, a fit note issued by any GMC-registered doctor is valid documentation. In practice, the vast majority of employers accept private GP fit notes without any issues. If you are unsure, check with your HR department before your consultation.
The cost typically falls within the range of the standard consultation fee, between £25 and £75 for a video appointment. At Cha2GP, the fit note is included in your consultation fee with no additional charges.
Book a same-day video consultation through our website. A GMC-registered GP will assess your condition, discuss your symptoms, and if a fit note is appropriate, issue it during the consultation and send it directly to your email.
The entire process can be completed from your sofa. There are no queues, no 8am phone scrambles, and no need to travel to a surgery when you are feeling at your worst. Book a same-day consultation with Cha2GP and take the stress out of being off sick.
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