To reduce the burden on GP practices a new online system, created by the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions, is now live for patients to be emailed a digital isolation note.
Isolation notes provide patients with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
As isolation notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor, this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes.
How to access the notes
The notes can be accessed either NHS 111 online.
After answering a few questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user. If you don’t have an email address, you 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.