Examinations and Medical Certifcates for Absence

GMS GPs are not contractually obliged to provide a sick note for pupils who are off sick from school. They are also not obliged to provide sickness certification for students that miss an exam or believe their performance was affected due to illness. The same is likely to apply to other NHS GPs. Unfortunately, many GPs still receive requests for the latter.

The BMA's General Practitioners Committee (GPC) therefore wrote to the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) about this, and has received the attached response which highlights that medical proof should not be required. If you receive a request for this, you may wish to draw the requester's attention to the letter. Download the letter here.

Ofqual is the regulator for England. The BMA will be writing in similar terms to the relevant bodies for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.