📋 Medical certificates from registered doctors

Online Sick Note —
See a Doctor Without Leaving Bed

Feeling too sick to drive to a GP? Have a video consultation with an HPCSA-registered doctor. If they find you unfit for work or school, they'll issue a valid medical certificate digitally after the consult.

Consultations from R250 · Medical aid accepted · Log in

🩺 HPCSA-Registered Doctors
📄 Digital Medical Certificate
⚖️ Meets BCEA Requirements
🛌 Consult From Bed

A sick note after a real consultation

A legitimate sick note, or medical certificate, can only be issued by a registered practitioner who has assessed you. That's why VDOC doesn't "sell" sick notes. You see a real GP by live video, and the doctor decides whether you need time off and for how long.

If they do, the certificate is issued digitally after the consultation. It carries the doctor's name, practice number and HPCSA registration so your employer, school or university can verify it.

What your employer needs to see

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act lets an employer ask for a medical certificate if you are off sick for more than two consecutive days, or more than twice in an eight-week period. The certificate must be issued and signed by a medical practitioner registered with a professional council, such as the HPCSA. Every VDOC doctor meets that requirement.

💡 Tip: book on the first day you feel unwell. A doctor can only certify illness they have assessed, so certificates can't be backdated to days before your consult.

Get seen and certified today

1

Book a GP consult

Choose a doctor and time online, or send "Hi" to Vee on WhatsApp. Say you're ill and may need a sick note.

2

Video consult

The doctor assesses your symptoms, advises on treatment and can prescribe medication if needed.

3

Receive your certificate

If you are unfit for work or study, the doctor issues your medical certificate digitally, ready to forward.

Illnesses we often see for sick notes

🤧

Flu & colds

Fever, body aches, sore throat and cough.

🤢

Gastro & food poisoning

Vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

🤕

Migraines

Severe headaches that stop you working.

🦴

Back pain & strains

Acute back pain and minor injuries.

🧠

Stress & burnout

Mental health concerns, with support and a plan.

👶

Caring for a sick child

Consults for dependants, with a note for school.

⚠️ If you have chest pain, struggle to breathe, have a high fever that won't come down, or feel confused or faint, don't wait for a video consult. Call 10111 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency unit.

What does an online sick note cost?

You pay for the consultation, not the certificate. GP video consultations on VDOC start from R250, and you see the doctor's fee before you book. If you're on a supported medical aid, such as a Discovery-administered scheme or GEMS, we can bill the consultation directly to your scheme.

The same consultation can also cover a prescription for any medication the doctor recommends, so you can send someone to the pharmacy while you rest.

Frequently asked questions

Is an online sick note valid in South Africa?

Yes. Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, a medical certificate must be issued by a medical practitioner registered with a professional council. VDOC doctors are HPCSA-registered, and the certificate carries the doctor's name, practice number and HPCSA registration number so your employer can verify it.

Can I just buy a sick note online without seeing a doctor?

No, and you should avoid any site that offers this. A legitimate sick note can only be issued after a doctor has assessed you. At VDOC, the doctor consults with you by live video call before deciding whether a certificate is appropriate.

Is a sick note guaranteed?

No. The certificate is issued at the doctor's clinical discretion, based on your consultation. If the doctor finds you are unfit for work or study, they will issue one for the period they consider medically appropriate.

Can an online sick note be backdated?

A doctor can only certify what they have assessed. They can record that you reported being ill from an earlier date, but they cannot certify days on which they did not see you. Book on the first day you are ill.

How quickly will I receive my sick note?

The doctor issues the medical certificate digitally after your video consultation, normally on the same day. You can forward it to your employer, school or university.

How much does an online sick note cost?

You pay for the doctor's consultation, not the certificate. Consultations start from R250, or you can bill a supported medical aid. There is no extra charge for the sick note if the doctor issues one.

Can I get a sick note for my child or for school?

Yes. You can book a consultation for a dependant on your profile. The child must be present on the video call so the doctor can assess them.

Other ways we can help

Ready to VDOC it?

Stay in bed. See a doctor by video and get a medical certificate if you need one.

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