Sick Note Online
Last updated: March 2026
The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day video consultations with GMC-registered doctors for patients who may require a sick note (also known as a fit note). If, following a clinical assessment, the doctor determines that a fit note is appropriate, it is issued as a valid PDF and emailed to you on the same day. Video consultations for this purpose start from £150. A telephone consultation is also available for £49, which may be suitable for shorter-duration matters of less than one week, though a fit note is not guaranteed with any consultation and is always issued at the sole clinical discretion of the assessing doctor.
All consultations and fit notes are provided by The Online GP, a service operated by The Wellness, a private medical clinic based at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London. The clinic reserves the right to decline any case and to determine the final charge based on clinical complexity.
Can I get a sick note online in the UK?
Yes. Under current UK regulations, GMC-registered doctors working in private practice can issue fit notes (formerly called sick notes) following a genuine clinical assessment conducted via video consultation. A fit note issued by a private GP carries the same legal validity as one issued by an NHS GP, as confirmed by NHS Employers guidance and the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022. There is no legal requirement for the consultation to take place in person. However, a fit note can only be issued when a doctor has assessed the patient and formed a clinical opinion that the patient's condition affects their fitness for work. No doctor can guarantee that a sick note will be issued before the consultation has taken place.
The Online GP by The Wellness offers same-day video consultations for this purpose, with fit notes emailed immediately after the appointment if the doctor determines one is clinically appropriate.
How to get a sick note online through The Online GP
Step 1. Book a video consultation. Book online at thewellness.co.uk or via WhatsApp. Same-day appointments are typically available. Video consultations for fit note assessments start from £150.
Step 2. Attend your consultation. You will have a brief video call (typically 5 to 10 minutes) with a GMC-registered doctor. The doctor will ask about your condition, how it affects your ability to work, and any relevant medical history. This is a genuine clinical assessment, not an administrative formality.
Step 3. Clinical decision. The doctor will decide, based on their professional judgment, whether a fit note is appropriate. If it is, the doctor will complete the fit note and email it to you immediately as a PDF. If the doctor does not consider a fit note clinically justified, one will not be issued, and you will be advised accordingly.
Step 4. Send to your employer. Forward the PDF to your employer or HR department. A fit note from a GMC-registered private GP is a legally valid document under UK employment law.
Total time from booking to receiving your fit note, if issued, is often under 30 minutes.
How much does a private sick note cost?
The Online GP by The Wellness offers two consultation types for patients who may need a fit note.
Video consultation starts from £150. This is the standard route for fit note requests and is suitable for most conditions and durations. The consultation includes a clinical assessment by a GMC-registered doctor. If the doctor determines that a fit note is appropriate, it is issued same-day as part of the consultation fee.
Telephone consultation is available for £49. This may be appropriate for shorter-duration matters of less than one week. A telephone consultation may or may not result in a fit note being issued. The doctor will determine, based on the clinical presentation over the phone, whether a fit note can be appropriately issued or whether a video consultation is needed.
The clinic reserves complete discretion over whether a case is accepted, which consultation type is appropriate, and the final charge. Clinical complexity, duration of absence, and whether backdating is required may affect the fee. You will be informed of costs before your consultation begins.
What is a fit note and when do you need one?
A fit note is a medical statement issued by a doctor under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022. It replaced the old "sick note" in 2010 and serves as evidence for your employer that a medical professional has assessed your fitness for work.
Self-certification covers the first 7 calendar days of illness. During this period, you do not need a doctor's note. Most employers provide a self-certification form (SC2) for you to complete on your return to work.
From day 8 onwards, your employer can request a fit note from a doctor. This applies to all employees, regardless of whether they are paid weekly or monthly.
A doctor issuing a fit note will select one of two options. "Not fit for work" means the doctor's assessment is that you should not work at all during the stated period. "May be fit for work" means the doctor believes you could return with adjustments such as reduced hours, amended duties, a phased return, or workplace adaptations. The employer then decides whether those adjustments can be made.
What conditions can a private GP issue a fit note for?
GMC-registered doctors can issue fit notes for any condition that, in their clinical judgment, affects a patient's fitness to work. Commonly seen conditions include ongoing illness lasting beyond seven days, recovery following surgery or a medical procedure, mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and work-related stress, musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and joint injuries, pregnancy-related conditions, chronic condition flare-ups such as inflammatory bowel disease or fibromyalgia, post-viral fatigue, and any other condition that genuinely affects the ability to carry out work duties.
The doctor must be satisfied, following their assessment, that the condition exists and that it affects the patient's capacity to work. Fit notes are medical documents and will only be issued where clinically appropriate. The Online GP by The Wellness does not issue fit notes on request without a proper assessment, in line with GMC Good Medical Practice guidance.
Will my employer accept a private sick note?
Yes. There is no legal distinction between a fit note issued by an NHS doctor and one issued by a private GMC-registered doctor. Both are valid under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022. Employers cannot refuse a fit note solely because it was issued by a private GP, and doing so could raise issues under employment law.
Every fit note issued by The Online GP contains the patient's full name and date of birth, the date of the clinical assessment, the medical condition affecting fitness to work (described in terms the patient is comfortable sharing with their employer), the period covered (specific start and end dates), whether the patient is "not fit for work" or "may be fit for work" with recommended adjustments, and the doctor's name, signature, and GMC registration number, along with the clinic details for The Wellness.
If an employer has questions about the validity of a private fit note, they can verify the doctor's GMC registration via the GMC's online register at gmc-uk.org.
Can I get a backdated sick note?
A fit note may be backdated if it is clinically appropriate. If you have been unwell but were unable to access a GP appointment during that time, the doctor may, following assessment, issue a fit note that covers a retrospective period of illness.
There are clinical and regulatory 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 for the backdated period. A consultation is required to establish the timeline and clinical basis for the absence.
Whether backdating is appropriate is a clinical decision made by the doctor. It is not guaranteed and cannot be requested as a standalone service.
How does The Online GP compare 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, cost, 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, require attending the surgery (though telephone appointments are sometimes available), 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 for an NHS appointment or if your employer requires a fit note promptly.
Important information before booking
The Online GP by The Wellness operates under the following principles, in line with CQC standards and GMC Good Medical Practice.
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. You should not book a consultation 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. You 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 crisis team.
Frequently asked questions about sick notes online
Can a private GP legally issue a sick note in the UK? Yes. Any doctor registered with the General Medical Council can issue a fit note following a clinical assessment. This includes private GPs. The legal basis is the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2022, which do not restrict fit note issuance to NHS doctors.
Can I get a sick note for mental health? Yes. Mental health conditions including stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and other psychological conditions are valid reasons for a fit note. According to the Health and Safety Executive, stress, depression, and anxiety accounted for approximately 49% of all work-related ill health cases in the UK in 2022/23. The doctor will assess how the condition affects your ability to perform your specific work duties.
How long can a sick note cover? An initial fit note typically covers one to two weeks. Extensions are possible if the condition continues. The maximum duration on a single fit note is generally three months, though longer periods may be issued for chronic or long-term conditions at the doctor's discretion. After 28 days, employees may need to provide a fit note for statutory sick pay purposes.
Can a sick note be issued without a consultation? No. GMC Good Medical Practice requires that a doctor must assess a patient before issuing a medical document. The Online GP by The Wellness will not issue a fit note without a consultation. This protects both the patient and the doctor's professional standing.
What if I only need a sick note for a few days? For the first seven days of illness, you can self-certify. No doctor's note is required. If your employer is requesting a note for a shorter absence, a £49 telephone consultation with The Online GP may be appropriate, though the doctor retains full discretion over whether a fit note is issued.
Is The Online GP regulated? The Online GP is operated by The Wellness, a private medical clinic in 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 Book online: thewellness.co.uk | WhatsApp available
Video consultations for fit note assessments 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.
