Fit note requirement

My client is in the assessment phase for ESA and payment has been witheld due to her fit note lapsing. The GP surgery is on lockdown so she is unable to get one. She is vulnerable and the advice is to self isolate but the online isolation note tick box does not cover self isolation without symptoms.

My local vulnerable client lead has told me that the only options are to contact DWP and speak to them (no hope of getting through) or to access the local assistance scheme.

I’m pretty sure she won’t be the only one experiencing this.

Any suggestions?

My wife was ill recently with flu like symptoms and the GP surgery was happy to do a sick note based on a telephone triage call from a doctor. Perhaps you could call the surgery and check whether they will do this.

The issue is getting through to the surgery - she’s been trying all week and can’t get through. I have advised her to keep trying.

Govt have just launched online fit notes, s she should be able get one emailed?

“In addition, the government advises that the notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online (https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19), and that -
‘After answering a few questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user. If they don’t have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer. The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else.’”

https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-rights/news/item/government-launches-online-isolation-note-for-employees-to-provide-evidence-that-they-have-been-advised-to-self-isolate-due-to-coronavirus

I think the problem with the online isolation note is that it is only for people who are self-isolating as a result of infection; not for people who are trying not to get it.

https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

Yes what Tim said. We already tried that as she is in an “at risk” group but it only covers “do you have symptoms?” and “does someone you live with have symptoms?”.

I have exactly the same issue as you.
Govt needs to remove requirement for sicknotes for UC/ESA for the time being for non-corona cases, as this is putting unecessary extra pressure on the NHS and at-risk clients.