Medical Certificates

Self-Certificates

For the first 7 days of absence from work due to ill health, you need to complete a self-certificate. Your employer will normally supply you with this form 'SC2'.  If you are unemployed or self-employed you can submit a form 'SC1' available from the DWP (Adobe Reader required).

You do not need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor for sick leave of 7 days or less.  If your employer insists on medical certification for this period, you will be asked to pay a private fee for such a certificate, as this certification is not part of the NHS service.

Doctor's certificates

If you are unable to work due to illness for more than 7 days, you will need a medical certificate for sick pay or incapacity benefit.  The doctor treating your condition will be able to provide a certificate if appropriate.  There is no charge for these certificates.  Normally this will be your GP, but certificates can be issued by hospital doctors to cover hospital stays.

Other certificates

Any other medical certificates or reports will incur a charge as they are not part of your NHS service.  Please refer to our section on Non-NHS services for further details.