What Changed in 2022?
Until July 2022, fit notes (Med 3 forms) could only be issued by NHS doctors. The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 extended this to a wider range of healthcare professionals, including:
- Registered GPs (NHS and private)
- Registered nurses
- Registered physiotherapists
- Registered occupational therapists
- Registered pharmacists
This means a fit note issued by a private GP registered with the GMC carries the same legal weight as one from your NHS GP, and employers in England are required to accept it.
Lambert Medical Practice: All GPs at our Surbiton practice are GMC-registered and can issue legally valid fit notes. Same-week appointments are typically available — often next-day.
When Do You Need a Fit Note?
You can self-certify for the first 7 days of illness — your employer cannot require a fit note for this period. From day 8 onwards, your employer may request a fit note. In practice:
- Many employers request a fit note if absence is likely to extend beyond a week
- Some industries have stricter requirements (e.g. aviation, healthcare)
- Benefits claims (such as Statutory Sick Pay or Universal Credit) may require a fit note earlier
If you have been unwell for a week already and NHS GP availability is limited, a private GP can often see you within 24 hours.
What Does a Fit Note Say?
A fit note states one of two things:
- "Not fit for work" for a specified period — you are signed off completely
- "May be fit for work" — the GP can recommend adjustments to enable a return: phased return, altered hours, amended duties, or workplace adaptations
The "may be fit for work" option is particularly useful for conditions where a gradual return with modifications is more beneficial than complete absence — such as anxiety, musculoskeletal conditions, or recovery from illness.
What the Consultation Involves
At Lambert Medical, the fit note consultation involves a brief GP assessment of your condition and its impact on your ability to work. The GP will ask about your symptoms, their duration, any treatment you are receiving, and your work activities. A fit note will be issued if, in the GP's clinical judgement, it is appropriate.
We do not issue fit notes without a clinical assessment — this is both a legal requirement and a matter of professional integrity.
Book a Fit Note Appointment
Same-week and next-day appointments available. The fit note is provided digitally or in print at the end of your appointment.