If you've ever tried to get a sick note from your NHS GP, you'll know the pain. You phone at 8am, you're 40th in the queue, you finally get through and the next appointment is in two weeks. By which point you're either better — or you've already lost income waiting.

There's a better way.

Online sick notes from UK-registered private doctors are fully legal, employer-accepted, and available same day. Here's everything you need to know.

WHAT IS AN ONLINE SICK NOTE?

An online sick note — officially called a fit note or Statement of Fitness for Work — is a medical certificate issued by a UK-registered doctor confirming you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It works exactly the same as one issued by your NHS GP.

The difference? You don't have to leave the house to get one.

IS AN ONLINE SICK NOTE LEGALLY VALID?

Yes. As long as it's issued by a GMC-registered doctor on a CQC-registered platform, an online sick note is fully legally valid in the UK. Your employer is required to accept it.

The law doesn't specify that a sick note must come from your own GP or from an NHS clinic. It simply requires it to be issued by a qualified medical professional.

HOW DOES IT WORK AT DR SICK?

Getting your sick note with Dr Sick takes less than 10 minutes:

Complete a short online health questionnaire about your symptoms One of our GMC-registered doctors reviews your case

You receive your fit note by email within 2 hours — often faster

No appointment. No waiting room. No extra day off just to get a piece of paper.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Dr Sick sick notes start from £29. Compare that to the income you'd lose waiting days for an NHS appointment, or the cost of a full private GP consultation elsewhere.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A SICK NOTE?

In the UK, you can self-certify the first 7 calendar days of illness — you don't need a doctor's note. After 7 days, your employer can ask for a fit note. Some employers ask earlier, particularly if you have a history of frequent absence.

Get your same-day sick note at drsick.co.uk