Frequently Asked Questions
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When do I need a sick note?
Do I need a letter for housing?
The NHS is supposed
to be free; why do I have to pay for some things at the surgery?
I've got tooth problems but I
can't get a dentist; what should I do?
When do I need a sick note?
Sick notes are issued for statutory sick pay for medical reasons when
your illness lasts for more than a week. For sickness absence from work
lasting less than a week you need to complete a self-certificate
available from your employer. Sometimes employers ask for sick notes
when you have had an absence of less than a week, but that is usually
because they misunderstand the rules and we are unable to issue
certificates under these circumstances.
Doctors' sick notes are not required for school absence; a letter from a
parent or carer is all that is required here. The only exception to this
is if a child misses GCSE or A level (or similarly important) exams for
medical reasons.
Private certificates can be issued for reasons other than statutory sick pay but we are obliged to charge for these. Sometimes patients ask for a private sick note to cover holiday cancellation or a similar problem. In these circumstances check whether you should be completing an insurance claim form, otherwise you may be charged twice.
Do I need a letter for housing?
No. If you have medical reasons affecting your housing application then you state these when you apply and they will be taken into account. The housing department has a medical adviser who will prioritise your application accordingly. If the medical adviser requires more detailed information to decide on the importance of your medical condition they will write to us requesting that information (with your consent). Sometimes patients come and tell us they've been asked to get a letter in support of their application - we assume that it must be new members of staff who aren't aware of all their own procedures. The correct process is that the housing department should write to us requesting this information.
The NHS is supposed to be free; why do
I have to pay for some things at the surgery?
Your taxes pay for most treatments (treating illness and preventative treatments) on the NHS. A number of other things are provided by NHS primary care services free of charge (e.g. sick notes - see above). However, we are obliged to charge for a number of non-NHS services. Sometimes the patient is responsible for the fee, sometimes it is a third party such as an employer or an insurance company.
There are some NHS services for which we are required to charge, such as
prescription fees for our dispensing patients
We are obliged to charge overseas visitors unless you are from an EEU
country or a country with whom the UK has a reciprocal agreement to
provide health care. You may be asked to provide proof of entitlement to
treatment in our surgery. If you are unable to provide the proof we will
charge you and give a receipt. You may have a refund if you subsequently
provide evidence of your entitlement to NHS treatment.
Please ask and our receptionists will advise you of fees for professional services
I've got tooth problems but I can't
get a dentist; what should I do?
There is a problem with access to NHS dentistry in our area which the PCT is trying to address, and things are improving.
Sometimes patients come and see us with dental problems because they can't get in to see an NHS dentist. As GPs we don't have the expertise to deal with these problems and it is not in your best interests to see your GP with a dental problem.
If you are unable to get an appointment to see an NHS dentist you should contact the PCT about this
