"Sick note" (Med3)

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Discussion

21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,784 posts

214 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
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Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is a Dr does not hand these out unless there is a clinical reason, ie. you can't ring up and ask for one for a month "just because".

The_Doc

5,044 posts

225 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
quotequote all
I've written many many of these.
The form is actually a Fit Note, and called the "revised Med 3"

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fit-not...

The period covered on the note is either "not fit for any work" or "may be fit taking into account the following....". This could be altered hours or amended duties.

When the note expires, you are fit.
The physician has to give a reason for the unfitness.
Everybody is expected to self-certify for the first 7 days (no note required)

There is no Fit to Return note (I get asked this continually) When the revised Med 3 expires, you're fit.

The_Doc

5,044 posts

225 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
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21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,784 posts

214 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply. Can you say if you would issue one in these circumstances?

My fit note expired on 11/11 the same day as a consultation at which it was agreed I would go back to work as part of a phased return under the guidance of occ. health. Same day I email HR informing them I am able to return, they reply a week later saying referred to occ. health but as occ. health are very slow and its Xmas soon (2 weeks hols) I may as well stay off until 4 Jan. They then ask me to get a Med3 covering 12/11-4/1 which my GP refused as my consultant did not issue a new Med3 after 11/11 when I was told I could return to work.

The_Doc

5,044 posts

225 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
quotequote all
21TonyK said:
Thanks for the reply. Can you say if you would issue one in these circumstances?

My fit note expired on 11/11 the same day as a consultation at which it was agreed I would go back to work as part of a phased return under the guidance of occ. health. Same day I email HR informing them I am able to return, they reply a week later saying referred to occ. health but as occ. health are very slow and its Xmas soon (2 weeks hols) I may as well stay off until 4 Jan. They then ask me to get a Med3 covering 12/11-4/1 which my GP refused as my consultant did not issue a new Med3 after 11/11 when I was told I could return to work.
Your HR: " (you) may as well stay off until 4 Jan."
Your OccyHealth: no reply
Your GP: I refuse to issue

I can't say, it's too complicated. What do you want to have on paper? Fit to return, or Fit to return taking into account advise ?
If your GP is really being obstructive/picky , try ringing your consultant's secretary and seeing if they can ask him/her to write the bit of paper you want.

If your OccyHealth is that slow, then you are "fit" and should be paid, it's their problem you can't be assessed in work quickly enough? Do you want all these extras weeks of sickness on your record just because of their departmental backlog.

21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,784 posts

214 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
quotequote all
The_Doc said:
Your HR: " (you) may as well stay off until 4 Jan."
Your OccyHealth: no reply
Your GP: I refuse to issue

I can't say, it's too complicated. What do you want to have on paper? Fit to return, or Fit to return taking into account advise ?
If your GP is really being obstructive/picky , try ringing your consultant's secretary and seeing if they can ask him/her to write the bit of paper you want.

If your OccyHealth is that slow, then you are "fit" and should be paid, it's their problem you can't be assessed in work quickly enough? Do you want all these extras weeks of sickness on your record just because of their departmental backlog.
I have left a message for my consultants secretary but I'm under respiratory and even the answerphone says we are only dealing with emergencies (understandably!)

All work have said is they want a note covering me until 4 Jan. I've either been ill, in hospital or shielding pretty much all year. Another few weeks really doesn't bother me but it is annoying that the only reason work really wants it is so they can claim on their insurance for the agency staff they are using to cover my absence.

Just had an email from occ. health though confirming a call on Friday but then a couple of weeks for their report so at least there is a plan.

Sounds like you think it's not completely unreasonable for work to ask for a Med3 for this period?

The_Doc

5,044 posts

225 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
quotequote all
I make no judgements, I just give my experience of writing many hundreds of these in fracture clinic
Best of luck

drmike37

490 posts

61 months

Tuesday 24th November 2020
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Sounds like it’s your occ health dept’s problem. You are presenting ready for work and they are delaying. You should be paid your full rate and it should not be recorded as sick. Clearly work don’t like this and are trying to engage in some sort of insurance ruse.

If you are fit to return to work, and your gp writes you a sick note just because, that’s fraud. Your gp would seem to be right not to get involved. That’s career ending stuff.

The_Doc

5,044 posts

225 months

Tuesday 24th November 2020
quotequote all
drmike37 said:
Sounds like it’s your occ health dept’s problem. You are presenting ready for work and they are delaying. You should be paid your full rate and it should not be recorded as sick. Clearly work don’t like this and are trying to engage in some sort of insurance ruse.

If you are fit to return to work, and your gp writes you a sick note just because, that’s fraud. Your gp would seem to be right not to get involved. That’s career ending stuff.
+1, now I read it back, it seems quite clear. You are Fit