Did You Know?

You DO NOT require a sick note (now called a fit note) for periods of 7 days or less

A fit note for periods of OVER 7 days is free of charge

A fit note issued for periods of absence UNDER 7 days should NOT be requested via your GP

If your employer asks for evidence for the first 7 days of sickness, a healthcare professional may charge a fee for this IF they offer this service. Your employer should pay the fee if one is applied.

You do not need to see a healthcare professional again to go back to work.

Your employer may ask for confirmation that you’re fit for work, but healthcare professionals DO NOT have to provide this as part of their standard service.

Depending on your job, you may need to meet other requirements before you can return to work after being ill.

For example, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) rules will apply if you drive a large vehicle like a lorry or bus. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions

For further information about fit notes (sick notes) please click the link below 
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/getting-a-fit-note/

If you are unable to order online this could be for one of the following reasons:

You may not be able to order your prescription items if:

• You need a medicine review by your GP practice
• It is too early to order your medicine.
• It is an acute (short-term) or one-off prescription.
• You have already requested it.
• You have a repeat dispensing prescription.

Please remember ordering in this way is for REPEAT prescriptions only, you cannot re order acute (short-term) or new medications using this system.

Follow the link below  to watch a short video showing you how…

https://youtu.be/8Hsk_grMPHE

Pharmacists can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription for a range of conditions.

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.

Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

• impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
• sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
• shingles (aged 18 years and over)

If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.

If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other health professional if needed.

They will also update your GP health record, but your information will not be shared with anyone else.

Most pharmacies can provide prescription medicine for these conditions but contact them before visiting to check.

For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help
To find a pharmacy visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

You can view test results in your GP Health record using the NHS App or by logging into your account on the NHS website?

If you have set up an NHS login you can view your test results if:

You have proved your identity
You are registered with a GP surgery
You are aged 16 or over

You will be able to view:
Results of tests you had at your surgery (tests that pre date 2023 may not automatically be available)
Hospital test results that have been sent to your GP surgery

PLEASE NOTE: You will NOT be able to see results that have not been sent to your GP surgery.
The hospital may contact you about your result or tell you how to get your results.

See below for more information on accessing your health records:
https://youtu.be/Qvn-cdVFgWw