Doctors Note?

Hi, basically I'm having a few problems at Uni. I haven't been able to concentrate and my work is suffering. My best friend died shortly before I started at Uni and my mother currently has cancer. I'm not depressed, but I'm finding it really hard to cope. A friend has recommended that I go to my GP to explain this and perhaps obtain a 'Doctor's note' for the Uni's benefit? Has anyone else had to obtain one of these? What are they? And do I have to request one when I'm in the appointment?
Thank you in advance for any replies

Reply 1

Lil Lee Lee

2

That's what I had to do for my Media A Level, not for anywhere near as bad reasons as for you though.

Just explain to the doctor what's going on and they'll write a note for you which you should hand in to someone in charge of your course at the Uni, maybe a personal tutor

Good luck and hope you feel better soon =)

Reply 2

clairey87

1

Most Dr's will charge though. I had to have a letter for my A-levels as I had glandular fever. I think it's about a tenner. x x x

Reply 3

Sheen

11

i didnt know they charge you.
thats unfair

Reply 4

Tarts_n_Vicars

13

They don't charge you.

If you are having ongoing difficulties I'd go to someone at the uni counselling service instead as they are aware of the effects such things can have on you and the continual problems you're having and will liase with your tutors etc accordingly.

If it's the case that you've missed a deadline or done particularly badly in some assessment/coursework and it's unlikely to happen again then a doctor's note is probably better.

Reply 5

kookabura

13

Doctors don't charge for a doctors/sick note (as far as I know) but they may charge for letters, which take longer for them to do (I think it depends on the doctor if they charge or not.)

It is probably worth you going to see your doctor and explaining what is happening. It would probably also be a good idea to see you tutor at uni and explaining the circumstances you have at the moment. They should then take that into account with exam results etc. It will probably help as well if you are struggling with coursework or can't get to lectures etc all the time.

Most lecturers are fairly helpful once they know your circumstances, some aren't, but theres not a lot that can be done about that!!

Just try and make people aware of it, if you are ok with that so that they will probably give you more lee-way with things.

Reply 6

L i b

19

Sheen

i didnt know they charge you.
thats unfair

Why? Doctors are there to cure the sick, not to mediate between you and your employer. Next you'll be wanting them to shag your wife when you're impotent on the NHS.

But yes, I don't believe most charge for a straightforward little incidental note.

Reply 7

girl afraid

GPs don't charge you for sicknotes.

Though, I would have thought that at uni/college, just simply telling them about your troubles would allow them to cut you some slack. Though, my college weren't so understanding either. :rolleyes:

Reply 8

j00ni

9

girl afraid

GPs don't charge you for sicknotes.

Yes some do :rolleyes:

Depends on the GP and circumstances (for instance if you are off sick for under a week, when the GP is under no obligation to provide a sicknote, and in most all cases will charge)

You will normally need to make an appointment then your GP can assess your condition, and determine what to write on the certificate, as well as how long it will cover you for (although they can be extended with a repeat consultation).

However, as suggested I feel a more appropriate and beneficial course of action would be to see your tutor (if of course you feel comfortable doing so) and the uni counselling service, as (without wanting to trivialise your situation) they see this sort of thing on a regular basis.

Reply 9

Sheen

11

girl afraid

GPs don't charge you for sicknotes.

good. i was just thinking that be abit wrong if they did charge you just for a note

Reply 10

j00ni

9

Sheen

good. i was just thinking that be abit wrong if they did charge you just for a note

They can charge you though, and a number do.

It's hardly like you just pop round and they sign a piece of paper, and bob's your uncle.

You have to go for a consultation, so that the GP can determine if you are ill enough to be eligable for a sick note. So effectively you are taking their time, which could be otherwise spent doing their job

Reply 11

girl afraid

It's unlikely that a GP will charge a student for a sick note required by her uni.

Reply 12

buttons7

1

what's wrong with a doctor charging for a note? you're paying them to do their job - seems fair enough to me.

Reply 13

clairey87

1

Mine wrote quite a detailed letter to the exam board....maybe that's why I was charged

Reply 14

lazydays

12

girl afraid

GPs don't charge you for sicknotes.

Though, I would have thought that at uni/college, just simply telling them about your troubles would allow them to cut you some slack. Though, my college weren't so understanding either. :rolleyes:

They tried to charge me last year when i had chicken pox and missed a huge chunk of art prep time. :rolleyes:

I mean £20!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Reply 15

girl afraid

I've never been charged for a sick note, though my surgery is partly to blame for not diganosing me properly.

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