Coronavirus (COVID-19) Posted or Updated on 25 May 2023

We have recently been receiving requests from patients for letters to give to their employers, as they have concerns about returning to work due to coronavirus.

Regrettably this is not an issue that the practice or our GP’s are able to help you with. It is the individual employer’s responsibility to make sure their employee’s working environment is safe and therefore any concerns about returning to your workplace should be directed to your employer.

Employers have an ongoing commitment to make the workplace as safe as possible for employees, customers and anyone else who visits. The government has provided helpful guidelines on working safely during coronavirus here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

It is completely understandable why some people might be anxious about safety and returning to the workplace. Therefore employers and employees should talk about any concerns and try to resolve them together. Employers can also help signpost their employees to available health and wellbeing support; for example occupational health or mental health services which could be of benefit. Further helpful information can be found on the ACAS website here: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus.

For clarification, if you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and you need a sick note for your employer, you do not need to contact your GP for a sick note as you can get an isolation note online here: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/. Please note however, that this service is only for people who either have symptoms of coronavirus or live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus.

Important: If you have symptoms of coronavirus, the first thing you need to do is get health advice. If you have not already done so, visit: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

If you are not sure if you need to self-isolate, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for advice.

Thank you and stay safe.