The law regarding certification of sickness is clear.

Up to 3 days of illness, you do not normally need any written documentation. you simply need to verbally inform your employer.

If you are unable to work due to illness for more than 3 days, up to seven days, you can certify yourself sick with a self certification form available either on-line from HM revenue or  from your employer to receive statutory sick pay from your employer. (you can download a copy SC2 from the 'downloadable forms' section of this website.)

Your employer should accept this and should not normally request a note from your doctor.

Some employers may insist on seeing proof of illness with a letter from your doctor even if you are off with illness less than seven days. There is no obligation on the part of your doctor to issue such a note but a private sick note may be issued at the doctors discretion and a charge will normally be applied.

If you are off sick more than seven days and you need to claim statutory sick pay, you will need a formal 'fit-note' (called a Med 3) which can be issued free of charge by your doctor. Your doctor will normally need to see you before issue of your first fit note but occasionally may be able to arrange this over the telephone if he or she is satisfied of the circumstances of your illness (eg. seeing hospital discharge letters)

Please note your doctor will not be able to issue you with a pre dated fit-note if there is no evidence of you having been ill so it is important if you are ill and anticipate your employer will need a fit note that you drop in to the surgery before your self certification expires. If you are unable to do so. you can arrange a telephone appointment or inform the receptionist.

It may be possible to arrange issue of subsequent fit-notes following your first note by requesting one at reception and it may be issued without you having to be seen. However your GP may request you to drop into the surgery for review before issue of the note or you may be contacted over the phone.