How to Get a Sick Note Online Same Day in the UK

Last updated June 2026

Medically reviewed by the GMC-registered doctors at The Online GP by The Wellness

When you are unwell and your employer needs a sick note, the last thing you want is a two-week wait for a GP appointment. The official document is now called a fit note, and a private GP can issue one online the same day after assessing you. This guide explains when you actually need one, the self-certification rule, and how to get a fit note fast.

Need a fit note today. Message The Online GP by The Wellness on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.

How do I get a sick note in the UK

To get a sick note, now officially called a fit note, you see a GP or qualified healthcare professional who assesses you and issues one if it is appropriate. With The Online GP by The Wellness you can have a same-day phone or video appointment with a GMC-registered doctor and receive your fit note the same day, without waiting for an NHS slot.

The process is straightforward once you know the rules. For the first seven calendar days of illness you do not need a fit note at all, you self-certify. Beyond that, your employer can ask for medical evidence, which is where a fit note comes in. A private GP can issue one quickly after a proper assessment, by phone or video for many conditions, so you are not stuck waiting for an appointment while your absence continues. The fit note records that you are unfit for work, or fit with adjustments, and the dates it covers, which is exactly what your employer and Statutory Sick Pay process need.

Do I need a sick note for the first week off work

No. In the UK you can self-certify sickness for up to seven calendar days, including weekends, without a fit note. You simply tell your employer you are unwell, often using a self-certification form such as the SC2. A fit note is usually only required if your absence lasts longer than seven days.

This is the rule most people get wrong, so it is worth being precise. The seven days are calendar days, counting weekends and days you do not normally work. If you are off from Monday to the following Monday inclusive, that is eight days, and a fit note would then be needed. From April 2026, under the Employment Rights Act 2025, Statutory Sick Pay is payable from the first full day of sickness, which makes correct documentation matter from day one. If your employer asks for medical evidence within the first seven days, a healthcare professional can provide a private note, and the employer usually covers the cost.

If you are past seven days or your employer needs a note now, enquire on WhatsApp here.

Can I get a sick note online without seeing my NHS GP

Yes. You do not have to use your NHS GP for a fit note. A private GP can assess you and issue a valid fit note, often online by phone or video the same day. It carries the same standing as one from your NHS GP, because it is issued by a qualified healthcare professional.

This is the fastest route when your NHS surgery cannot see you quickly. A fit note from a GMC-registered private doctor is just as valid for your employer and for Statutory Sick Pay as one from your NHS practice. With The Online GP by The Wellness you message the team, have a same-day phone or video assessment, and receive your fit note the same day, with no need to register or get a referral. For conditions that need an examination, an in-person appointment at the Marylebone clinic can be arranged. The doctor assesses you genuinely, because a fit note follows a real clinical judgement, not a form-filling exercise.

How much does a same day sick note cost

The best-known Harley Street practices charge from 200 to 350 pounds or more for a consultation. With The Online GP by The Wellness a same-day fit note is included in a consultation from 59 pounds for a phone appointment, with no separate charge for the note itself.

The value is in the all-in approach. Rather than charging a consultation fee and then a separate fee for the document, The Online GP by The Wellness includes the fit note, along with any prescription or referral letter, in the appointment. A phone or video consultation is usually all that is needed for a fit note, which keeps it efficient and affordable, while a same-day in-person appointment from 275 pounds is available if you also want a full examination. You are seen by a GMC-registered doctor the same day either way.

To get your fit note sorted today, message us on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.

Can I get a fit note for stress, anxiety or other mental health reasons

Yes. A fit note can be issued for mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression, which are among the leading causes of sickness absence in the UK. A doctor assesses how your condition affects your ability to work and issues a fit note where appropriate, just as for a physical illness.

Mental health is treated exactly as seriously as physical health in this process. The doctor considers whether you can perform your job and, if not, whether adjustments such as reduced hours or a phased return might help, which the fit note can record. The Online GP by The Wellness provides this assessment with care and confidentiality, and can also discuss further support and treatment where you want it. If you are struggling, you do not have to wait weeks to be seen. A same-day appointment means support and the documentation you need can start now.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a sick note online same day

See a GMC-registered doctor by phone or video, who assesses you and issues a fit note the same day if appropriate. With The Online GP by The Wellness this is arranged through a same-day appointment, with the note included in the consultation.

Do I need a sick note for the first 7 days off

No. You can self-certify for up to seven calendar days, including weekends, without a fit note. A fit note is usually only needed if your absence lasts longer than seven days, unless your employer requests evidence sooner.

Is a private sick note valid for my employer

Yes. A fit note issued by a GMC-registered private doctor is just as valid as one from your NHS GP for your employer and for Statutory Sick Pay, because it is issued by a qualified healthcare professional.

How much does a same day sick note cost

The best-known Harley Street practices typically charge from 200 to 350 pounds or more per consultation. With The Online GP by The Wellness the note is included in a consultation from 59 pounds by phone, with no separate charge for it.

Can I get a fit note for stress or anxiety

Yes. Fit notes can be issued for mental health conditions including stress, anxiety and depression, after a doctor assesses how your condition affects your ability to work.

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