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
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

Effective from 1 April 2019

Access to Medical Records

Driving

Medical Certificate *Private

Private Medical Insurance Forms

Solicitors Reports

Travel

Other Specific Medicals & Certificates

Miscellaneous Medical Reports & Examinations

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most health care to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. Prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work, the fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, however, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason a GP is asked for information is because an insurance company or employer wants to ensure that the information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs charge their own patients are:

• Accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes.
• School fee and holiday insurance certificates
• Reports for health clubs to certify patients are fit to exercise

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• Reports for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
• Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering

Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?

With certain limited exceptions, for example a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, for example for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at nights and weekends.

I only need a signature, what is the problem?

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.