Doctor's Note

iSon · Fri 12 Mar, 2010 21.04

Here's hoping one of you great people can help out here. I've been off for the last week with an infection initially in my throat and then mouth. I first of all went to the out of hours doctor at the hospital who gave me antibiotics but after my mouth was so painful that I couldn't eat, I booked in at the dentist as it seemed the best thing to do. They gave me stronger antibiotics and advised to use mouthwash too.

Anyway, that's by the by. Basically, I'm still not right but I am beginning to get better - still not good enough to go into work unfortunately. Now I need a doctor's note for when I return to cover the illness as it's more than 7 days. Dentist cant issue them and advised I should see my doctor. Phoned surgery and they said I should talk to my dentist (!) But they have stood firm and said that only a doctor can issue such a note which I accept is the case. Trouble is I've now booked in at my doctor's on Wednesday but I hope I will be better by then and of course what good is an appointment to see the doctor when he can't see anything wrong with me?

Anyone have any advice? Can they still issue a doctor's note for the days gone by, even if they can see you're OK now?

steddenm · Sat 13 Mar, 2010 02.33

Your GP can still issue you with a doctors note.

As it's over 7 days you can't 'self-certify' neither, so speaking to your GP, even if you are better, is a good idea. You'll need to tell your GP what medication the out-of-ours doctor, and your dentist gave you though and once again describe your symptoms.

Some GPs do charge for a sick note though, but most won't. You should be fine, mind.

Good luck!

Nick Harvey · Sat 13 Mar, 2010 12.32

Sounds like you've got no hope of a certificate then, James, given the usual standard of Mr Murphy's advice.

cdd · Sat 13 Mar, 2010 14.35

Oh come now, Nick, I'm sure steddenm has experience of dealing with the sick notes of thousands of employees at his massive media company.

Lorns · Sat 13 Mar, 2010 17.18

Did the doctor tell you they can't issue a sick note or was it one of the receptionists?

tillyoshea · Sun 14 Mar, 2010 20.56

I'm working in General Practice at the moment, and if you were my patient I'd give you a sick note based on that story.

If you had a particularly arsey GP, they could always ring your dentist to confirm that you'd been seen there. Theoretically (though these things don't always run smoothly), the Out of Hours doctor should have sent the details of your consultation to the GP too, so there should be proof of your story on the record.

iSon · Mon 15 Mar, 2010 21.30

tillyoshea wrote:I'm working in General Practice at the moment, and if you were my patient I'd give you a sick note based on that story.

If you had a particularly arsey GP, they could always ring your dentist to confirm that you'd been seen there. Theoretically (though these things don't always run smoothly), the Out of Hours doctor should have sent the details of your consultation to the GP too, so there should be proof of your story on the record.

That's really helpful, thank you.

I returned to work and my colleagues and managers have no problems, but as usual the HR department aren't really living up to their name and were barking at me every 5 minutes for the sick note else "you won't get paid and it could lead to disciplinary action." Fine they're only doing their job but must they insist on telling me repeatedly?

iSon · Wed 17 Mar, 2010 10.24

Well I'm happy to report that my very friendly GP had no problem issuing a note based on the out of hours appointment that I had - full details of which had been put on my notes. He did say that if I hadn't have had that appointment then it could have been tricky - but either way I'm just glad I've got something to cover me.