A 42-year-old office worker has been off work with acute low back pain for 5 days. He asks his GP for a ‘sick note’ so he can claim statutory sick pay...

Question

A 42-year-old office worker has been off work with acute low back pain for 5 days. He asks his GP for a ‘sick note’ so he can claim statutory sick pay. He has no red-flag symptoms and expects to return to work soon. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Explain he can self-certify for up to 7 calendar days and no fit note is required yet

Answer

Issue a fit note now because any period of sickness requires one

Answer

Refuse any documentation and tell him to return to work immediately

Answer

Tell him that fit notes can only be issued after 14 days off work

Answer

Advise him to buy a private certificate from the practice nurse

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Fit note (sick note) rules

A 42-year-old office worker has been off work with acute low back pain for 5 days. He asks his GP for a ‘sick note’ so he can claim statutory sick pay. He has no red-flag symptoms and expects to return to work soon. What is the most appropriate response?