"Sick note"

I have had surgery to my hand and need six weeks off work. The hospital gave me a sick note for two weeks and told me to get continuing one from GP. Phoned today as going on holiday soon to organise it so I can get it to work before I go to be told they can't be issued in advance anymore and have to be done near the day. The surgery is a long walk from where I live and therefore I can't just nip in to pick it up. I have to get it to work before I go on holiday as I won't get paid if it's not received.

Both parties, ie: work and consultant know about the holiday it was booked long before the surgery took place . It just seems to me that if anything can be done to make life more awkward for patients it will be done. Why is it impossible to write the required dates on the sick note in advance. I may now need to ask someone to collect it for me as if it overlaps by a few days I will be retuning to work sooner than required and as I have informed my employer. Again, not good practice for the patients who are employed.