Life is busy and stressful enough without needing extra trips to the doctor’s for medical letters. That’s why ZoomDoc set up its successful same-day online letters service to help make life easier for you.
By now most people will have needed a sick note or ‘Fit Note’ at some stage in their career, job or employment service. It’s an all too common request for ZoomDoc GPs, especially as winter viruses surge and keep people off work for longer than ideal – both for employees and employers..
But aside from sick notes, what other medical letters might you (or someone you know) need at some point – and what even are they? Here’s what you need to know.
What are medical letters?
Medical letters are an official document or certificate required for specific purposes or circumstances. The letter verifies a health condition, disability or proves your fitness or recovery from something that may have otherwise prevented you travelling or working, such as chickenpox or an injury.
A medical letter will include:
- relevant health history
- details of your condition, sickness or illness and its relevance to the letter ie its impact on work, being fit to travel, that you couldn’t attend an event etc.
- signature and authorisation by a GMC-registered UK doctor.
As mentioned above, more common medical letters include sick notes (required for longer than seven calendar days off work) or fit-to-fly letters, for example during pregnancy. ‘
However, there are many more – many of which could be a real saviour this year should you need them.
1. Housing Support Medical Letter
Housing support letter to confirm underlying health is exacerbated and impacted by your current housing situation
What is it?
This specific doctor’s note may be required for evidence and also to back up your case for needing to move or to upgrade your current living accommodation for specific health or disability reasons.
This could be due to you or a family member having problems with ill health, mobility problems or other disabilities.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase a Housing Support Medical Letter
2. Allergy Certificate
An allergy is where your body reacts to something that’s normally harmless like pollen, dust or animal fur. The symptoms can be mild, but for some people they can be very serious.
What is it?
This certificate is for children or adults with a severe allergy and will confirm the exact type you have and the medication you need to have with you, or be given, if exposed to the allergen (such as nuts, medicine, stings, gluten). It can be particularly helpful if travelling or going abroad.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase an Allergy Certificate
3. Chickenpox Recovery
Chickenpox is contagious, and the blisters usually dry and become scabs within 5 to 7 days of the onset of the rash.
What is it?
Chickenpox can break out at any time and scupper a holiday because airlines won’t let you fly while the virus is still active and spots are visible. However, if you or your child are no longer contagious but have spots that have crusted over, you’ll need proof of recovery – a chickenpox fit-to-fly so to speak.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase a Chickenpox Recovery Certificate
4. Blue Badge Medical Letter
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination.
What is it?
If you have a disability or health condition that meets the eligibility requirements for a blue badge permit you’ll need this letter of proof for your application or renewal process.
Although it won’t guarantee your local authority will issue one, it will help speed up your application and make it a lot easier.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase a Blue Badge Medical Letter
5. Vaccine Exemption Certificate
There are a number of grounds for requesting an exemption: for example, people with medical contraindications to the vaccines.
What is it?
If you’re allergic or unable to have a required vaccine for medical reasons then you may need a certificate that proves why you can’t have one. This is particularly common if you’re travelling to a country that requires proof of vaccination of yellow fever, Covid or others.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase a Vaccine Exemption Certificate
6. France Work Medical Certificate
Within the first 3 months of arriving in France, you must validate your visa. The process is entirely digital.
What is it?
To be able to work in France, all non-EU employees must abide by the French labour code requiring a medical certificate to confirm that they are fit, healthy and able to work. If you’re heading into Europe to work or are doing a ski season, for example, you’ll need this certificate – also called a ‘Certificat d’aptitude au travail’ as well as another called the OFII Medical Certificate, which is also required.
Please be aware that you may also require an OFII Medical Certificate.
Where can I get one?
Order yours online and get it the same day for £69.
Purchase a France Work Medical Certificate
7. Gym and Health Club Cancellation Certificate
You’ll normally have to pay the full cost of your contract if you want to cancel a gym membership early.
What is it?
If you’ve joined a gym or fitness club and then become too ill or injured to be able to go, you may be able to cancel your contract or at least pause it until you’re better. To help do this you’ll need evidence of illness or injury.
Where can I get one?
Speak to your GP or one of our doctors and order yours online and get it the same day for £45.
Purchase a Gym and Health Club Cancellation Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a medical letter from a doctor?
You can request a medical note by making a digital or in-person appointment with your doctor. Upon attending, your doctor may issue you with a medical condition note. Please be aware that you are subject to NHS/GP waiting lists when following this method.
To get your medical letter faster, consider using Zoomdoc, who can provide work sickness notes, university and college sickness notes, disability medical letters, and other medical letters as required.
Who can write a medical letter?
Medical letters can only be written and dispensed by medical professionals. These include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. If you have a written report from a healthcare professional, you can use it to acquire a medical letter from the healthcare professional treating you.
Do you have to pay for a medical letter?
You may be charged for a medical letter through the NHS. Although not all doctors charge for this service, many do, as the medical letter is often written during their own time or working hours.
For customers acquiring a medical letter through Zoomdoc, a fixed fee is charged so you get your documentation faster.