Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Passport signing
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales. Please see below for a list of charges.

Please note private medical and insurance reports will take a minimum of 4 weeks  to complete. 

FAQs

Why is there a charge for this letter/service?

The NHS provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions for example, medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records.

How long will it take?

Before we can undertake any work to complete a report we require payment in full in line with the attached schedule.We aim to complete all forms within 4 weeks after receipt of payment.

Why do private services take longer than NHS services?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from undertaking their NHS work which must be prioritised. GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take this paperwork home at night and weekends.

I only need a quick letter. Why does it cost that much?

When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical.

Additionally, private services are entirely optional and we are not contractually bound to offer them. However, we know that some patients find this service valuable and it can be difficult to find another private provider to undertake this work.

I need a taxi/HGV medical and I don’t have any medical conditions. Why does it cost the same for me as for someone with a complex history?

We charge a standard fee for all taxi and HGV medicals. We fill in the same legal documents regardless of your medical condition. There are other providers of taxi medicals if you would rather go elsewhere.

Why has my life insurance request taken so long?

Some private requests come from insurance companies which we require negotiation regarding charges for the report that have to take place before we will agree to complete the forms. This can take several weeks and sometimes delays forms being completed. You are welcome to contact your insurance company if you are concerned about the delay.

I really need this form urgently. Please can I have it urgently?

Up to now we have declined to do urgent private work. We will offer this from April 2017 – as there seems to be so much demand for it – but there will be a 25% surcharge for anything we are asked to do urgently. Urgent is classed as needing the form quicker than the normal 4 week’s standard return.

Why can’t I have this form? Or that letter? I’m prepared to pay for it.

There are certain requests that we will not agree to.

We will not:

• Complete letters stating that people are or are not fit to attend court or be part of jury service.

• Provide “fit to….” letters for anyone doing any activity, as we are not insured to undertake these.

• Complete Power of Attorney or for capacity issues coming directly from patients. These questions should be addressed to a private psychiatrist or a solicitor.

• Complete Gun Ownership forms.

• Complete forms for work which would be better dealt with by occupational health.
• Countersign passport forms for UK passports as they require too much personal information about person countersigning. We will consider signing other passport forms if they do not require this information and if we have known the applicant for more than 2 years.

We will do:

• Letters for airlines stating patients’ medical conditions/pregnancy stage but will not comment on fitness.
• Letters if requested for sporting events but will not comment on fitness, simply providing past medical history and current medical conditions. We would normally recommend – if people need more detail than this – that they contact a travel clinic or a private sports’ medicine specialist.

Why do I have to pay for travel vaccinations?

Some travel vaccinations are within NHS services and therefore free to you as the patient. Others are not and these will be charged for accordingly. Please contact the practice to discuss your travel

I cannot afford to pay what you are asking.

We do not offer a sliding scale of fees and charge standard fees for all. If you can find a cheaper service elsewhere you are welcome to use that service.

Can you just give it to me now and I will bring the money in later?

Payment is required in advance in the form of cash or a cheque. If the receptionist is unclear whether the doctors can complete your request they will ask the doctors and get back to you.

My employers want me to get this blood test or this letter. Can I have it on the NHS?

Blood tests requested by employers should be offered through Occupational Health. Your employer should have access to an Occupational Health scheme. We will not do these blood tests on the NHS. We may be able to give you a form to attend the local private hospitals for these. We do not charge for the forms but the hospital will charge for the blood test. Your employer should pay this charge usually.

I need copies of my notes for my solicitor.

When a solicitor asks for copies of your notes, as long as we have your consent, we will provide them.

Please note: solicitors are increasingly asking for copies of your notes rather than for a report. This is because there is a fixed (smaller) charge for copies of your notes. If you are happy for the solicitor to have copies of all your notes, we will provide this. However please be aware that this can mean both sides of any dispute getting access to your notes and that everything you have ever mentioned to a doctor will be included. Many patients are unaware of this and are then embarrassed or upset when seemingly irrelevant facts are used by lawyers in a dispute. We would normally recommend refusing consent for your notes to be copied and asking the lawyer to request a targeted report instead.

If the notes are requested in full, you will either need to collect these and take them to the solicitors yourself or the solicitor will need to organise a courier to collect them on your behalf. We will need to see signed consent from you and held by the courier that you have agreed for them to collect your notes.

Private Charges from 27th August 2020

Checklist for admin:  https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/fees/fees-for-gps/fees-for-non-nhs-reports-guide-for-gps

Charges to patients to be paid in advance