Sick notes could anyone give me any guidence

[Boo1111]

I am currently off work under investigation with my chest and am awaiting to attend two hospital heart appointments next month I do also suffer with emphysema also have been on meds for my heart at heart nurse request when she phoned me 6weeks ago I phoned the GP surgury this week enquiring about when my sick electronic sick note runs out they said Thursday got a missed call this morning at 8am I eventually got through at 9.30am receptionist said I have to phone for a phone consultation with the doctor tomorrow morning is this normal precudure after so many weeks been on sick as I haven't seen a doctor but have previously had consulations will they review it I still feel shot at with my breathing and lifting any heavy bags of shopping and climbing hills and to make matters worse I lost my sister suddenly 2days ago we were so close so my head and emorions are all over the place

[Troilus]

Hi Boo, it is quite routine to speak with a GP when reviewing a sick note. Just let him know you are not feeling much better and that you don’t think you are well enough to go back to work. He will then decide how long to sign you off work for. I wouldn’t mention heavy shopping bags or climbing hills as this makes it sound as if you are better than you really are.

[Boo1111 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you for your reply so much appreciated I honestly do feel washed out most of the time with my breathing

[Troilus in reply to Boo1111]

I think that is just about what you should say. It seems to describe the feeling very well!

[AirIsUnderrated]

Legally your repeat sick note cannot be generated before the previous one ends, but they can back-date them to ensure continuity.

As Troilus said, a review after several repeats is perfectly normal. They won’t want to give you a sick note (now officially called ‘fit notes’) for longer than needed because you can’t go back to work until after the end date on a fit note. If you feel better sooner and want to return to work earlier, the doctor will have to give you a new fit note with a revised date on it. Obviously they won’t want to do that unless they have to. 👍🏻