Medical Certificates
Beyond providing medical advice and treatments, the doctors at SmartClinics can provide you with the documentation to ensure you gain appropriate sick leave, carer’s leave, or support for illnesses.
Whether it’s a short-term illness like the flu, a work injury, more severe cases of chronic disease or mental health issues or some other illness, medical certificates can help you take medical time off for sickness and injury.
Experienced absence from work?
A medical certificate is a document issued by a doctor following their assessment of you and your condition, validating that you have been unfit to work due to illness. When health issues, illnesses or injuries get in the way, a medical certificate can help ensure you receive the appropriate time to recover and return to normal.
Following the doctor’s assessment of your condition, if the doctor determines that the illness necessitates absence from work or missing student deadlines, they can provide you with a medical certificate you can give to your employer or institution to legitimise your condition.
What is included in a medical certificate?
A medical certificate will include you and your doctor’s name and address. It must include the date you saw the doctor, the date the certificate was issued, and the date you should be able to return to work. It will also include the date at which you were first unfit for work due to the illness.
This certificate can be provided to your employer or institution if they request evidence from your doctor to legitimise your health claims.
Can you get a medical certificate after you’ve already been sick?
You absolutely can get a medical certificate if you have already been sick for a period. When you speak to your doctor, let them know when your illness began and the period for which you need a medical certificate. Your doctor will include on the medical certificate the period for which they believe you would have been unable to work.
Does a medical certificate need to detail why you were sick?
To access a medical certificate, you do not need your doctor to disclose personal medical information and details to your employer.
Confidentiality means that details cannot be disclosed without your consent. In some instances, detailing the medical context may be suitable, but it is not essential.
It can be helpful to make sure you communicate with your doctor what information you feel comfortable sharing with your employers and if you have any additional privacy concerns.
Can you get a medical certificate from a pharmacy?
Pharmacists can legally issue medical certificates or absence from work certificates. These certificates can only be issued if the illness falls within the scope of a pharmacist’s assessment ability. In some cases, they may refer you to a doctor. In addition, absence from work certificates cannot be backdated, so if this is your second day of being ill, you may need to visit a doctor instead.
What is the difference between a medical certificate and an absence from work certificate?
Absence from work certificates are usually used for short periods of sick leave, usually less than a week. They can be issued by both doctors and pharmacists. Whether you’re visiting a doctor or pharmacist, you must usually book a consultation beforehand.
What does a medical certificate cost?
The cost of a medical practitioner issuing a certificate is covered by the cost of your regular appointment and is no additional cost to patients.
Whilst a medical certificate cannot be purchased, your doctor is not obligated to issue a medical certificate during your consultation unless they believe it is relevant to your condition.
When can you get a medical certificate?
You can access a medical certificate during or immediately following your medical condition.
If you are no longer unwell, if the medical professional believes the facts you claim warrant absence from work, they use their discretion to issue a certificate.
It is highly recommended that if you require a medical certificate, you visit the doctor via an in-clinic, or Telehealth (if you have been seen at the clinic in the last 12 months) appointment as promptly as possible.
Get a medical certificate
If you are unwell and need to get a medical certificate today, the doctors in our SmartClinic Family Medical Centres can help you.
To access the required documentation conveniently and efficiently, find a SmartClinics practice near you and book an appointment now.
Doctors Offering Medical Certificates
