If you are living with an existing medical condition, you may be wondering if you can get a medical note from your GP or another healthcare professional.
Whether you need medical evidence to give to your employer, to receive state benefits, or for any other reason, read on to find out everything you need to know about medical notes to prove an existing medical condition and where you can get them from.
A medical note, sometimes referred to as a statement of fitness for work, is a type of certificate that is a written statement from a medically qualified healthcare provider. It can serve as either a sick note or evidence of a medical condition.
If you are off sick from work for less than seven days, you do not need to get a fit note from your healthcare provider or doctor. All you need to do is tell your employer that you are not fit for work. This is known as self-certification.
If you are off work sick for more than seven calendar days, then you need to get a fit note from a registered healthcare professional.
Yes, you can get a medical note from your local GP for most pre-existing medical conditions. You can request a medical note by either making an appointment with your doctor in person or via a digital appointment. Once this has been carried out, you will be issued with a proof of your medical condition note that can be given to your employer or another party.
If you would like more information on how to get a medical note from your GP, please Contact Us here.
A medical note or fit note must be issued by a healthcare professional. This could be your NHS GP at hand, a nurse, a pharmacist, an occupational therapist, or a physiotherapist.
However, it is worth noting that you do not always need to see one of the above healthcare professionals in person. Depending on the nature of your existing health condition, you may be able to have a medical note issued online.
If you need a fit note from the NHS, your best course of action is to contact the healthcare professional who is treating you. They will be able to carry out an assessment and decide if your existing medical condition affects your ability to work.
Depending on their assessment, you may be issued a medical note that deems you are “not fit for work” or one that states you “may be fit for work taking into account the following advice.”
You should never have to pay for a healthcare professional to issue a fit note or to provide medical statements for you to give to your employer if you are off sick for more than seven days. This means that for long-term existing medical conditions, you should not be required to pay for a medical note.
Do you need to know your GP’s registered address?
Perhaps you have just moved home and need to register with a new GP, or you need my GP practice address for your child’s new school?
Either way, the below blog will tell you exactly what you need to do to find your GP’s registered address.
Your GP’s registered address is the official address of the practice. This can be used to find your nearest practice and also for any correspondence.
You can easily find a GP near you using the NHS website. Doing this is simple. You just need to enter your postcode, and you will be supplied with information on all your nearest GP surgeries as well as all their relevant information, including:
If you have not been to see an NHS GP for some time, you may not be sure what GP practice you are registered with or even if you are still registered at all.
In England, the NHS is legally obliged to keep a list of all patients registered with GP practices. This information is held in the National Health Application and Infrastructure Services systems.
If you don’t have your records from your GP at hand, you can access your them by logging into your account using the NHS app or website. However, you do need to register for online services before you can access this information.
If you have recently moved home or want to change GPs as you are not happy with your current practice, you can easily register with a new GP surgery.
In England, it is free to register with a GP, and you do not need proof of address, ID, immigration status, or an NHS number. However, it can be useful to have your passport or birth certificate with you when you register.
You can look up GPs in your area via the NHS website to see what services they offer so that you can find one that is best suited to your and your family’s needs.
In some cases, you can also register with a GP surgery that is not in the area that you live in.
If you need help registering with a new GP or filling out the forms, you can contact them directly, get in touch with the Citizens Advice Bureau or Contact Us.
A GP surgery can refuse to register you if:
You can only register with one GP in England. However, you can temporarily register with another surgery if you are in another area and require healthcare, such as an emergency prescription.
Are you a stressed-out student?
Perhaps you are suffering from one of the many anxiety disorders that are becoming all too prevalent in young people.
Whatever it is that is preventing you from carrying out your studies and enjoying your time as a student, mindful breathing can help you to get your mental health back on track.
An increasingly popular way of relaxing and eliminating stress, deep breathing exercises can be carried out by anyone and require no equipment or expertise.
Read on to discover the top 6 benefits of mindful breathing for students. Plus, where you can find out more about mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders and is particularly prevalent in young people and students. If you suffer from anxiety, you will understand just how debilitating this condition can be and how big an impact it can have on your daily life.
Fortunately, by practising breathing techniques on a regular basis, you can learn to manage this condition and prevent any episodes before they occur.
Depression is another mental health issue that affects a significant amount of the population and can make going about your daily life near impossible. If you are a student with depression, then the effects of mindfulness can help to reduce your symptoms.
Mindful breathing can be carried out whenever you feel low or depressed.
If you often feel distressed, mindful breathing can help calm you down and turn your thoughts into more positive elements of your life.
Just 20 minutes of this meditation practice can be enough to reduce any distress you are experiencing and help you get on with your day.
Focus is a key part of studying, yet it can sometimes be hard to achieve with so many distractions surrounding campus life. If you struggle to concentrate, then mindful breathing can help you to focus on your breath and, in turn, focus on the task at hand.
If you would like more information on mindful breathing techniques, you can ask your NHS GP.
Studies show that practising mindful breathing can help to improve brain function and your overall cognitive abilities. However, it is worth noting that, to enjoy this benefit, you need to make sure that you are practising mindful breathing on a consistent basis and that you are also taking care of other aspects of your mental and physical health, such as eating a balanced diet and not taking illegal substances.
Most students feel stressed at some time or another, which can have a detrimental effect on their studies. While some stress is good for the body, too much can cause a whole host of mental and physical problems.
However, one of the effects of mindfulness is that it helps to release endorphins into the body, which makes you feel both calm and happier.
Are you worried about high blood pressure?
In the UK, an estimated 1 in 3 people suffer from high blood pressure, a health problem that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Often referred to as a “silent killer,” developing high blood pressure can happen to anyone but is a lot more common in people with a poor diet and lifestyle or those with a pre-existing medical condition.
Find out what is the normal blood pressure below. Plus, how to find out what your blood pressure reading is and what to do if it is too high.
A normal blood pressure reading should be under 140/90 mmHg. This means that the systolic reading should be lower than 140mmHg, and the diastolic reading should be lower than 90mmHG.
A low blood pressure reading is 90/60 mmHg which doesn’t always indicate a health problem but can be a sign of another illness or condition.
Possible high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, gives a systolic reading of between 140 and 180 mmHg and a diastolic reading of between 90 and 110 mmHg.
A blood pressure reading that is higher than 180/110 mmHg means that you have severe hypertension.
If you think you might have high blood pressure or you simply want to check that your blood pressure is as it should be, then there are several services that you can utilise:
It is worth noting that an estimated 5 million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure, and the only way you can find out yours is by having it checked.
If you don’t want to see a health professional to have your blood pressure checked, you can buy blood pressure monitors to use at home. These are also a good idea for those who need to check their blood pressure regularly.
As mentioned above, hypertension can increase your risk of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Therefore, if you have a high blood pressure reading, it is crucial that you book an appointment with your GP.
There are lots of ways to treat high blood pressure, including eating a better diet, giving up smoking, and reducing your alcohol intake. If the blood vessels in your heart, kidney, brain, or eyes are damaged, then your doctor may offer you medication to treat your high blood pressure. They are also likely to offer medication if you have already developed heart or circulatory disease or if you have diabetes.
There are also a number of support services, both online and face-to-face, that you can reach out to if you have high blood pressure, such as Heart Helpline and self help service, which can give you more information about how to manage your condition.
More people are seeking out therapy and mental health services than ever before, contributing to a mental health crisis. This doesn’t mean people should stop seeking these life-changing treatments, but instead that healthcare providers need to step up. A better approach towards living that puts mental health and physical health on par is essential to establish a well-adjusted, healthy society that can move forward from trauma, stress, and crises.
One of the societal shifts is the emergence of mental health days. While not adopted everywhere, support for taking a mental health day is increasing for students and workers alike. What these days look like will depend on the person, with some benefitting from a work-from-home setup for days when they’re not feeling well to taking the day off entirely to seek out emergency care for their mental health condition.
Students and young people can absolutely take mental health days. Mental health issues range in intensity, and sometimes being able to stay at home can improve a student’s condition considerably. This is particularly true in a post-COVID world where classrooms are more integrated with technology than before. You can simply get in touch with the teacher/s to get caught up on the work missed.
A student’s mental health directly impacts their performance. This is why more schools and universities are increasing their mental health support. You can take a day and catch up later, or even take off the rest of the semester and take it again the next year. This allows students who have reached their breaking point or who are going through an extended grieving or mental health crisis to prioritise their health and come back to their education when they’re better.
Mental health days can particularly help children when they’re feeling overwhelmed. If they’re making mental health days a pattern, however, parents must investigate. Schools are usually fun places for kids, and if your child is regularly trying to avoid going, there are likely deeper issues at play.
Mental health days can:
There is no wrong or right way to use a mental health day. However, you will want to find the best approach to lower your stress and improve your mental well-being. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, taking the time to focus on the things you love can be just the ticket, or you may want to book an emergency session with your therapist or GP, depending on the type of mental health concerns you have.
Mental health days are great options when you’re feeling overwhelmed, but they are not a cure-all. Seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a mental health professional is essential for tackling the root cause. With NHS GP, you can refer yourself for counselling and get free support and access to psychological therapies. If you’re at the start of your mental health recovery journey, you can even take our depression self-assessment test to understand better how you’re feeling.
Heart attacks can occur in men and women of any age, though some risk factors may make cardiac arrest more likely in some than others. These risk factors or warning signs include fitness level, genetics, diet, and more. While you can survive a cardiac arrest, you must call 999 as soon as possible to get medical intervention. Waiting too long decreases your chance of survival.
Heart attacks happen when a blood vessel supplying the blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked due to a clot. Clots can occur anywhere, from your heart to your brain to your limbs. When a clot forms and blocks an artery, it causes serious problems. In the brain, it can cause a stroke, and if a clot flows to the heart or your coronary arteries, it can cause a heart attack, otherwise known as cardiac arrest.
These clots are caused by a build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that are collectively known as plaque in the arteries. Healthy living that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet can minimise plaque build-up and reduce your risk of cardiac arrest. If you’re worried you are at risk of having a heart attack, use NHS GP’s resources to take steps towards lowering your risk.
There are 5 main signs and symptoms of a heart attack in both men and women.
Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack. You’ll usually experience this pain in the left or centre of your chest. It usually lasts a few minutes and then goes away before coming back. You may feel pressure, fullness, or pain.
Another common symptom of cardiac arrest is that you may suddenly feel light-headed, faint, or weak. This may even be accompanied by a cold sweat.
In addition to chest pain, you may also feel pain or discomfort in your joints, most notably your jaw, neck, back, and in your arms and shoulders.
If you also experience shortness of breath or feel like you can’t breathe properly, this is another sign of a heart attack.
Nausea is another one of the common heart attack symptoms. It’s usually experienced by women and not men. Always get in touch with emergency services if you experience sudden nausea alongside the other symptoms of cardiac arrest.
There are three main factors that indicate a risk of heart attack:
Genetics and age also play a factor, with your risk of cardiac arrest increasing as you age and in those with a family history of heart conditions.
Healthy living and caring for your body is the easiest way to lower your chances or prevent heart attack. If you are already at risk, you can also look into medication to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Use our available self help service to guide you through the health changes you need to make for your lifestyle and to connect with a GP who can inform you of any medication options that would be a good fit.
When you go to university, it can be a very exciting chapter in your life. Not only is it a great opportunity to challenge yourself academically, but you’ll meet lots of new people and likely make life-long friendships during these years. You’ll also learn a lot about yourself, as these can be very transformative years as you learn to live independently away from home.
While all of these things can be very positive, there are points where university might become overwhelming, whether it’s pressure from studying or burning the candle at both ends. This is why students need to practice good self-care, and here is a quick guide to help you do this.
Self-care covers both your physical and mental health, and it is a practice anyone can do at home. It’s how you can take responsibility for your well-being and everyone should know how to do this properly.
Some key parts of self-care include taking the time to relax and perhaps even practicing some mindfulness techniques to help reduce stress. These include activities like meditation, journaling, or even arts and crafts that can help you feel more soothed. Sticking to a good sleep cycle can result in you feeling refreshed, and eating healthy meals are also part of this routine. You might also find that getting out of the house to get some fresh air can improve your mood and energy levels, too.
Self-care is important for anyone at any age, but when you are juggling commitments to your studies and perhaps even taking on a part-time job, it can be easy to find yourself struggling to keep up with these demands. This is even more challenging if you are also trying to keep up with social commitments.
While it is important to spend time with friends or family as part of your self-care and maintain good relationships, trying to take on too much is not good for you. This is why you need to read articles like our own that address the answer to “what is self-care for students?” and learn how you can incorporate this into your daily routine.
If you do find yourself struggling as a student with your mental health, then there are some options for you to explore. A lot of universities will have counselors on campus to help support their students with mental health struggles, particularly if it is related to problems they are having with their courses or other academic issues.
You can also reach out in person or online to an NHS GP who can point you in the right direction for mental health services or give you more self-care tips. It is important to make the most of these services if you are struggling so that you can move forward to a healthier, happier lifestyle overall.
If you are a student who is starting to feel overwhelmed, you might want to think about your self-care routine and how you can make improvements. Use these tips and look into further resources to make sure you are getting the right support.
