If you need a fit note following hospital admission, an outpatient appointment or, a surgical procedure, it is the responsibility of the hospital doctor to provide this before you leave. Even if you are advised to contact your GP, the legal duty to issue the initial fit note lies with the treating hospital team.
If you have already been discharged without a fit note, you should contact your consultant’s secretary or, the hospital ward to request one. The hospital must provide the first fit note covering the appropriate duration. There is no restriction limiting hospital-issued fit notes to a two week period—if a longer period off work has been recommended, the fit note should reflect this in full. Both NHS and private doctors can issue fit notes.
