Fit Notes and School Aged Children

Over the past few weeks, the surgery has seen an increase in patients requesting evidence to support if their child has been off school ill. Often this has taken the form of a request for a Fit Note (also called MED3 or Sick Note). GP practices do not provide sick notes for school children or those in education. Parents/guardians are responsible for excusing their children from school and this should be evidence enough.

The Fit Note, or to give its official title, ‘A Statement of Fitness for Work’ is used as a form of evidence that can enable either proof of illness to an employer or used as proof to access health-related benefits. It can also be used as evidence for eligibility for statutory sick pay (SSP). It is designed specifically for those in work and not those in school.

As such the surgery is not able to supply a MED3 for a child’s absence. Often the only proof that should be required for a child being off sick is a note from the parent/guardian/carers. If a child is off with a long-term condition, they will be under a specialist and they will be responsible for providing an assessment if requested.

Students who have missed exams due to illness are frequently told that a note from a doctor is required. This is not correct. General Practitioners Committee (GPC) has sought and received confirmation from the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator that Awarding Organisations make no requirement for pupils to obtain a medical certificate in support of their application for special consideration.

Students are asked for information in support of their application, but this may take the form of a statement by the school. The Joint Council for Qualifications has confirmed that as far as they are concerned, if a student was absent from an examination due to illness and has the support of the school or centre to be absent, special consideration will be granted on that basis. Awarding organisations do not insist that medical proof is provided.

There should be no reason for any evidence to be supplied to support a child’s absence from school. If a letter is requested as evidence for school absence, this is a private, non-NHS service. As such it would attract a charge.

To ensure that there is consistent message to patients as well as schools, we have written to schools within our practice boundary to remind them of that school children do not require a fit note as evidence of school absence or as proof for missed exams.