Westend Medical Practice

FAQ’s

How do I claim for leave from work due to illness?

Employers can ask employees to fill in a form when they return to work to confirm they’ve been off sick for up to 7 days. This is called ‘self-certification’. Employers usually provide their own version of this form, but forms are available at the Surgery or can be downloaded from the www.gov.uk website.

You will need to give your employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (previously called a ‘sick note’) if you are off sick for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days). You will need to ring the surgery to make an appointment to see the Doctor for this.

Follow this link to GOV.UK/taking-sick-leave page

What is a medical exemption certificate?

Patients with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate. Details of these conditions can be found at www.nhs.uk

To claim for medical exemption please ask at your pharmacy for an application form.

Follow this link for NHS Choices – help with prescriptions costs

What is Electronic Prescribing?

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the pharmacy you choose to get your medicines from. You will not have to visit the surgery to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, it will be sent electronically to the pharmacy you choose. You will be able to choose any pharmacy close to where you live or work, reducing waiting times for your repeat prescription. Please ask your pharmacist or collect an application form from the surgery.