Information for organisations that receive a letter
People receive the letter by email and send it to you themselves. This page explains what it contains and how to check it.
For employers and HR, universities and colleges, insurers and travel companies, and airlines.
Check a letter is genuine
Verification runs on the website of Dr Sick, which operates this service. Verify a letter at drsick.co.uk/verify (opens Dr Sick's website)
What the letter contains
- Dates
- Sick leave letters state the dates they cover, up to 6 weeks.
- Doctor's statement
- A statement that a UK GMC-registered doctor reviewed the request.
- Signature
- The signature of the reviewing doctor.
- Verification
- A way to check it at drsick.co.uk/verify.
What the doctor does
- Reviews the person's online medical questionnaire
- Decides whether a letter can be issued
- Decides which dates a sick leave letter covers
What the doctor doesn't do
- Issue NHS fit notes or act as the person's GP
- Cover more than 6 weeks in one letter
- Decide whether you accept the letter
Your policy decides
Your organisation decides what evidence it accepts and how to act on it. The letter gives a doctor's view; it does not oblige you to accept it.
Questions about a letter?