What are fit notes?
If you’re off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit note (also referred to as a sick note or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a healthcare professional.
Request a fit note
To request a fit note, you can:
- request a fit note online using Patchs
- call us on 0151 677 7070
We will need to know the details of your request such as the start and end date of your fit note and the reason for it.
If you already have an existing fit note and need this to be extended for the same condition, please contact us using the methods above.
Fit notes can be collected from the reception desk after being processed, or we can send you a digital copy of your fit note via a text message – please let our reception team know which method you would prefer.
What if I’m sick for less than a week?
If you are sick for less than a week (5 working days), you do not need a fit note from a doctor and can instead complete a Statutory Sick Pay form. More information can be found here at the GOV.UK website.
Page last reviewed: 29 September 2025