This is what the new sick note looks like
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/ima...0100137_en_001
I retired early and was on incapacity benefit for a few years.
I had one of those 'medicals' at King St Blackburn.
Beforehand I went to the trouble of obtaining
The Disability Rights Handbook.
That point scoring system that was then operating was full of 'traps'
(eg - can you carry a 5lb bag of potaoes? scored nil - 15 points was needed to 'pass')
It was very handy to know which aspects of disability scored highest and which didn't, so that the course of the exam could be directed by you to emphasise them.
I 'briefed' several other people on these points, (if they asked me for advice in advance of those 'medicals'), and all of them 'passed'.
The rules are different now but I have confidence that anyone who buys a Disability Rights Handbook will be making a very sound investment.
Disability Alliance UK (United Kingdom) Home Page