Medical certification: fitness notes (MED3)
When required MED3s should be sent electronically. Print, sign, scan and send as an email or text attachment. Complete and don’t print, then print a duplicate to a PDF file and attach to an email or text. Complete electronically, including digital signature and attach to an email or text. For help on how to do […]
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) temporary arrangements regarding medicals
The DVLA has produced a leaflet suggesting that the GP should supply an opinion on fitness to drive. GPs can provide factual reports to DVLA for them to determine fitness to drive but should not be giving an opinion on an individuals fitness to drive unless, in their professional opinion, the patient has a condition […]
Transport for London (TfL)
Since 15 June it has been mandatory for passengers over the age of 11 to wear face coverings on public transport in London, as well as in private hire vehicles. This has resulted in some patients approaching GP practices asking for doctor’s notes to exempt them from the requirement on health grounds, for example if […]
Exemption for face covering letters/certificate requests from patients to practices
With people being required to wear face-coverings in several environments including public transport, shops and supermarkets, practices may get an increase in requests from patients to provide exemption letters. Government guidance on face coverings including exemptions can be found here. Practices have a contractual and legal obligation to provide patients with copies of their medical […]
Isolation notes and letters for Covid-19 related absence from school
The government has stated that all pupils and students should continue to attend education settings at all local Covid-19 alert levels unless they are one of the very small number of pupils or students under paediatric or other specialist care and have been advised by their GP or clinician not to attend an education setting. […]
Isolation notes and letters for Covid-19 related absence from the workplace
Please be aware that as people are returning to work there may be an increase in patients contacting the practices with concerns and anxiety about their return and requesting medical certificates. Patients need to be encouraged to discuss this with their employer and not medicalise what is an understandably anxiety provoking situation. Practices should try […]
Information regarding shielding, self-isolation and social distancing
A further Government update was issued for the clinically extremely vulnerable, in areas placed into new Tier 4 restrictions, from 20 December 2020. We are currently in a national lockdown so this guidance applies to all London residents. This group is strongly advised to stay at home, unless for exercise or medical appointments and not […]
Processes concerning the death of a patient
English law does not require a doctor to confirm death has occurred or that “life is extinct” – guidance has been produced by the BMA to support untrained individuals in assisting in the verification of life extinct and it remains open to a doctor to attend if in all the circumstances of the case they […]