The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions such as prescription charges. The NHS does not employ GPs It has a contract with them to provide NHS general medical services for their patients. Sometimes, however, GPs are asked to provide additional services, which fall outside their contract with the NHS, and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.
WHY DO GPS SOMETIMES CHARGE FEES?
Payment is via card payment only in person at the practice. As of 15th July 2021 we do NOT take any cash.
Please note as of 1st May 2022 we have outsourced medical report work to EMR+. They will advise regarding timeframes and fees.
This is to increase the time GP’s can directly consult with patients rather than complete non NHS Administrative work. On the rare occasions that EMR+ cannot provide a report and if the practice deems appropriate, the practice may provide a report in exceptional circumstances. The following information covers this scenario but prices and timeframes are indicative only and subject to change.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most 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. For example 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 fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of nonmedical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
- accident/sickness insurance certificates
- certain travel vaccinations
- private medical insurance reports
- Statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
- Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
- Holiday cancellation claim forms
- Referral for private care forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- medical reports for an insurance company
- some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
- examinations of occupational health
- Requests from solicitors for patient records
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS
contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.
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 – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.
I only need the doctor’s signature
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 Council or even the Police.
What will I be charged?
It is up to the individual surgery to decide how much to charge,
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more
The table below lists the Charges that this practice applies. Unfortunately, in order to be fair to all patients, there are no exceptions to the charges. Please note that these prices are indicative only and subject to change once the request has been reviewed by the Doctor.
For more complex reports or requests please ask at reception
Please allow 28 working days after any fee is paid for completion or longer if the GP is unavailable.
Payment is via card payment only in person at the practice.
Certificates
| Private Referral | FREE |
| Private Sick Notes | £25.00 |
| Private Prescription | £15.00 |
| Driving Licence/Citizenship Card/Photograph | £40.00 |
| Immunisation Certificate | £40.00 |
| Certificate for Incapacity for work | £40.00 |
| Sickness/Accident Insurance Certificate | £75.00 |
| Holiday Insurance Cancellation Certificate | £75.00 |
| Freedom from Infection Certificate | £40.00 |
| Freedom Pass | Local Authority |
Reports
| School fees insurance claim form | £50.00 |
| Sickness/Accident/Health Insurance | £75.00 |
| Benefit Claim Form | £40.00 |
| Health Insurance Written Form | £75.00 |
| Employer’s/Solicitor’s Report | £90-£150 |
| Standard GP Letter (where a doctor does not need to go through the medical records) | £45.00 |
| Subject Access Request Reports [SARS] – Allow 30 DAYS | |
| 1st Electronic Copy | FREE |
| Subsequent Requests | Dependent on size of record |
| Report (Written)
(Written letter where a doctor needs to go through the medical records) |
£100.00 |
| Report (Proforma)
(Form to be completed where a doctor needs to through the medical records) |
£75.00 |
| Housing Letters (Only Summary Printout offered), if not sufficient should ask housing to write to GP for specific report. | |
| Fast track charge- If 10 working day response needed. This is in addition to any letter/form fee | £30.00 |
| Please Note: We do not do Any Occupational Health including verification of BCG Scars. |
Medicals
| Medicals requiring examination / Employment medicals* eg LGV, PCV, HGV, taxi driver, elderly driver, fitness (30 minutes,) certificate, fitness for sport, fitness to attend school | £110.00 |
| Medical Report by GP Dictated and typed | £65.00-£110.00 |
| Short Medical Report Requested by patient | £40.00-£65.00 |
| Detailed written report, (30 minutes) | £110.00 |
| Proforma report, no exam (20 minutes) | £90.00 |
| Extract from records | £70.00 |
| *NHS Occupational Medical | £45.00 |
| Local Authority Occupational Medical | £90.00 |
Miscellaneous
| Witnessing Power of Attorney | £45.00 |
Private Patients
(Patients not normally resident in the UK, and without non-reciprocal agreement)
| Single consultation – first appointment (20 mins) | £90.00 |
| Single consultation – review appointment (10 mins) | £60.00 |
| Single Nurse Appointment | £45.00 per slot |
| Private Blood Test Phlebotomy appt (Plus NHS Laboratory fee) | £30.00 |
Work Experience/Travel Medicals(including Project Trust and Camp America)
Please note: Charges for these services may vary as different organisations may have different requirements.
| Simple certificate | £18.00 |
| Medical Report with brief examination (one appointment) | £45.00 |
| Medical Report with full examination | £135.00( For 30 minutes charged pro-rata) |
