how many sick notes will doctors issue in uk 2026

In the UK, doctors are issuing around 11 million fit notes a year in 2026, based on the latest public reporting available. Government and BBC reporting in May 2026 say the system is being overhauled, and BBC also reports that over 11 million fit notes are issued annually, with the figure having risen since the pandemic.

Quick Scoop

A fit note is the UK’s medical certificate for sickness absence, and it is usually needed after the first 7 calendar days of illness because the first week can be self-certified. The latest reports do not give a precise 2026 total yet, but they do show the scale is already very high and still under active review by the government.

What the 2026 picture looks like

• Public reporting says more than 11 million fit notes are issued each year in England.

• One industry analysis cited in May 2026 put the 2025 total at 11.17 million , with most being “not fit for work” notes.

• The government launched pilots in 2026 to change how sick notes work, including trials where GPs will stop issuing them in some areas.

Why this matters

The headline is not just the raw number, but that the system is being described by ministers and reporters as “broken” and under pressure. That suggests 2026 is likely to be a transition year rather than one with a stable final figure.

Bottom Line

If you mean “how many sick notes will doctors issue in the UK in 2026,” the best current answer is roughly 11 million-plus , but no official full-year 2026 total is available yet from the public sources surfaced here.