Letters For School Sickness Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines Brooke Surgery's position on providing letters or sick notes for school children, which falls outside our contractual obligations.

Policy Statement

At Brooke Surgery, we are committed to providing high-quality care within the scope of our NHS contractual obligations. However, providing letters or sick notes for school children is considered non-contractual work and is not part of our duties as NHS GPs. Therefore, we do not provide such letters.

Guidance for Schools and Parents

• Inappropriate Requests: There has been a marked increase in the number of requests for GPs to provide sick notes for school children suffering from minor illnesses or ailments, which could otherwise be managed by self-care. These requests add an unnecessary burden to GP practices that are already overstretched and struggling to provide timely appointments.
• Resource Allocation: Processing requests for sick notes for school children takes up valuable time and resources that could be better utilised to treat patients with a real need to see their GP.
• Endorsement Concerns: There is also a concern that such a “note” might appear to endorse an absence that was neither necessary nor advised.
• Departmental Agreement: As per the longstanding agreement between the Department of Health & Social Care and the Department of Education, such notes are not necessary or appropriate, and GPs are under no obligation to provide them.

Consultation Records and Appointment Cards

If a child has attended the surgery regarding their illness, parents may request a copy of the consultation record or an attendance appointment card to provide to the school as evidence of the visit.

Private Letter Charges

For specific requests such as a letter to explain why a toilet pass may be considered, a "To Whom It May Concern" (TWIMC) letter can be provided as a private service. Please note that there will be a charge for such letters, as they fall outside NHS contractual obligations.

Communication with Schools

In cases where schools make inappropriate requests, we may offer to email the school directly to address the issue. This also helps us identify which schools are generating these requests.

Conclusion

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting our policy. Our commitment remains to provide the best possible care within our practice's scope and capabilities, focusing on our core NHS duties.