Same Day Sick Note UK

Last updated: March 2026

The Online GP by The Wellness

If you need a sick note today, The Online GP by The Wellness offers same-day video consultations with GMC-registered doctors from £150. If the doctor determines, following a genuine clinical assessment, that a fit note is clinically appropriate, it is issued as a valid PDF and emailed to you the same day. Telephone consultations are also available from £49 for shorter-duration matters of less than one week. A fit note is never guaranteed and is issued at the sole clinical discretion of the assessing doctor. All cases are accepted at the complete discretion of the clinic.

Book Same-Day Consultation via WhatsApp | Call 020 3951 3428 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com

How do I get a same-day sick note in the UK?

A same-day sick note (formally called a fit note) can be obtained through a private GP video consultation. Under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022, any GMC-registered doctor can issue a fit note after assessing a patient's fitness for work. There is no legal requirement for this to be done in person or through the NHS.

The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day video consultations for patients who may require a fit note. Here is how the process works.

Step 1. Book a video consultation. Contact us via WhatsApp, phone, or online at thewellness.co.uk. Same-day appointments are typically available seven days a week. Video consultations for fit note assessments start from £150.

Step 2. Attend your consultation. A GMC-registered doctor conducts a clinical assessment via video call, typically lasting 5 to 10 minutes. The doctor will ask about your condition, your symptoms, how your illness affects your ability to work, and any relevant medical history. This is a genuine medical assessment, not a formality.

Step 3. Clinical decision. If the doctor determines that a fit note is clinically justified, it is completed and emailed to you immediately as a PDF. If the doctor does not consider a fit note appropriate, one will not be issued. You will be advised on alternative options.

Step 4. Forward to your employer. The PDF is a legally valid document under UK employment law. Forward it to your employer or HR department. Employers cannot refuse a fit note solely because it was issued by a private GP.

The typical time from booking to receiving a fit note, if issued, is often under 30 minutes.

Need a sick note today? WhatsApp us now for a same-day appointment.

How much does a same-day sick note cost?

The Online GP by The Wellness offers two consultation types for patients who may need a fit note.

Video consultation from £150. This is the standard route and is appropriate for most conditions and durations. The fee covers the clinical assessment by a GMC-registered doctor. If a fit note is clinically appropriate, it is issued same-day as part of the consultation fee.

Telephone consultation from £49. This may be suitable for shorter-duration matters of less than one week, such as a brief illness where the patient is already recovering. A telephone consultation may or may not result in a fit note. The doctor will determine whether the clinical presentation can be adequately assessed by phone or whether a video consultation is required instead.

The clinic reserves complete discretion over whether a case is accepted, which consultation type is appropriate, and the final charge. Factors that may affect the fee include clinical complexity, duration of the absence being covered, and whether backdating is requested. You will always be informed of costs before the consultation proceeds.

A fit note is never an additional charge on top of the consultation. If clinically appropriate, it is included. If it is not clinically appropriate, it will not be issued regardless of the fee paid.

When do you need a sick note from a doctor?

Under UK employment law, the requirement for a sick note depends on how long you have been absent from work.

Days 1 to 7: self-certification. For the first seven calendar days of illness, you do not need a doctor's note. Most employers provide a self-certification form (SC2) for you to complete when you return to work. Some employers accept a verbal explanation for short absences.

Day 8 onwards: fit note required. From the eighth day of absence, your employer can legally request a fit note from a doctor. This applies to all employees, whether full-time, part-time, or on zero-hours contracts.

Statutory sick pay (SSP). To receive SSP, employees must provide a fit note from day 8 of absence. SSP is paid from the fourth qualifying day of illness, provided you earn at least £123 per week (2025/26 threshold).

Some employers have their own absence policies that may require documentation earlier than day 8. If your employer requires a note for a shorter absence, a telephone consultation from £49 may be appropriate, though the doctor retains full clinical discretion over whether a fit note is issued for any period.

Not sure if you need a sick note? WhatsApp us to check.

What does a fit note contain?

Every fit note issued by The Online GP includes the patient's full name and date of birth, the date the doctor assessed the patient, the medical condition affecting fitness for work (described in terms the patient is comfortable with their employer seeing), the specific dates the fit note covers, whether the patient is assessed as "not fit for work" or "may be fit for work" with recommended adjustments, and the doctor's full name, signature, GMC registration number, and clinic details for The Wellness.

The "may be fit for work" option allows the doctor to recommend adjustments such as a phased return, altered hours, amended duties, or workplace adaptations. It is then for the employer to decide whether those adjustments can reasonably be made.

The fit note is emailed as a PDF. It can be printed or forwarded digitally. It is a legally valid document under UK law.

Is a private sick note legally valid?

Yes. There is no legal distinction between a fit note issued by a private GMC-registered doctor and one issued by an NHS GP. Both are valid under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022. The regulations state that a fit note may be issued by "a doctor" who has assessed the patient. They do not restrict this to NHS doctors.

Employers cannot refuse a fit note solely because it was issued privately. According to ACAS guidance, employers should accept fit notes from any registered medical practitioner. If an employer questions the validity, they can verify the doctor's registration on the GMC register at gmc-uk.org. Refusing a valid private fit note or treating it differently from an NHS one could raise issues under employment law.

Can a private sick note be backdated?

A fit note may be backdated if it is clinically appropriate. If you have been unwell for several days but were unable to see a doctor during that time, the doctor may issue a fit note covering the retrospective period of illness, provided there is a clinical basis for doing so.

There are important limitations. Backdating must be justified by the clinical history and presentation. It is generally limited to a reasonable period, typically up to two weeks. The doctor must document their rationale. The doctor cannot certify a period of illness they did not witness without reasonable clinical grounds, and must comply with GMC guidance on issuing medical documents (Good Medical Practice, paragraphs 63-65). A consultation is always required.

Whether a fit note can be backdated is a clinical decision. It is not available as a standalone service and is never guaranteed.

Need to discuss backdating? WhatsApp us and our team can advise whether a consultation is appropriate.

Common conditions for a same-day sick note

GMC-registered doctors can issue fit notes for any condition that, in their clinical judgment, affects the patient's fitness for work. Conditions commonly assessed in same-day consultations include acute infections such as influenza, COVID-19, or gastroenteritis lasting beyond the self-certification period, mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, work-related stress, and burnout (which according to the Health and Safety Executive accounted for approximately 49% of all work-related ill health in the UK in 2022/23), musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and joint injuries, recovery following surgery or a medical procedure, pregnancy-related conditions, chronic condition flare-ups including inflammatory bowel disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, post-viral fatigue, and migraines or other neurological conditions affecting the ability to work.

The doctor must be satisfied that the condition exists and that it genuinely affects the patient's capacity to carry out their work duties. A fit note will only be issued where clinically justified following a proper assessment.

How The Online GP compares to getting an NHS sick note

The fit note itself is identical in legal validity whether issued privately or through the NHS. The differences relate to access, speed, and convenience.

NHS GP appointments for fit notes typically involve a wait of two to four weeks in most areas according to NHS England data, may require attending the surgery in person, and carry no direct charge to the patient. The Online GP by The Wellness offers same-day video consultations starting from £150, conducted from your home or any private location, with the fit note emailed as a PDF immediately if issued. Telephone consultations are available from £49 for shorter-duration matters of less than one week.

The relevant consideration is whether the speed and convenience of same-day private access is appropriate for your situation, particularly if you are too unwell to wait, if your employer requires documentation promptly, or if you cannot attend an in-person NHS appointment.

Ready to book? WhatsApp us now for a same-day appointment, or call 020 3951 3428.

Important information before booking

A fit note is never guaranteed. Every consultation involves a genuine clinical assessment. If the doctor does not consider a fit note clinically appropriate, one will not be issued. Patients should not book on the assumption that a fit note will automatically be provided.

Acceptance of cases is at the complete discretion of the clinic. The Online GP reserves the right to decline any case, whether before or during a consultation, if it is not considered appropriate for remote assessment or if the clinical presentation requires in-person examination.

Final charges are determined by the clinic. While starting prices are published on this page, the final fee may vary depending on clinical complexity. Patients will be informed before the consultation proceeds.

All doctors are GMC-registered and practise within GMC guidelines. The Online GP operates as part of The Wellness, a private medical clinic at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London.

This service does not replace emergency care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 999. If you need urgent mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or your local NHS crisis team.

Frequently asked questions about same-day sick notes

Can I get a sick note online in the UK? Yes. GMC-registered doctors can issue fit notes following a clinical assessment conducted via video consultation. There is no legal requirement for the assessment to take place in person. The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day video consultations from £150.

Will my employer accept a private sick note? Yes. Fit notes from GMC-registered doctors are legally valid regardless of whether issued privately or through the NHS. Employers cannot refuse a fit note solely because it comes from a private doctor.

Can I get a sick note for stress or anxiety? Yes. Mental health conditions are valid reasons for a fit note. The doctor will assess how the condition affects your ability to perform your specific work duties and issue a fit note if clinically appropriate.

Can I get a sick note for one day? For the first seven days of illness, you can self-certify without a doctor's note. If your employer specifically requires medical documentation for a shorter absence, a telephone consultation from £49 may be appropriate, though the doctor retains discretion over whether a fit note is issued.

What if the doctor decides not to issue a sick note? If the doctor does not consider a fit note clinically justified, one will not be issued. You will still receive medical advice, and the consultation fee covers the clinical assessment regardless of the outcome.

How quickly can I get a sick note today? Same-day appointments are typically available seven days a week. The total time from booking to receiving a fit note, if issued, is often under 30 minutes.

Is The Online GP regulated? The Online GP is operated by The Wellness, a private medical clinic at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London. All doctors are GMC-registered. The service adheres to CQC standards and GMC Good Medical Practice guidelines.

The Online GP by The Wellness 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London Phone: 020 3951 3428 WhatsApp to book | Book online: thewellness.co.uk

Video consultations from £150. Telephone consultations from £49. Fit notes issued at the sole clinical discretion of the assessing doctor. Not guaranteed. All cases accepted at the discretion of the clinic. Final charges determined by clinical complexity.