Some services provided fall outside the scope of the NHS and therefore attract charges. Our reception team will be able to advise if a request falls under non-NHS services and the applicable charges. They will also book any required appointments.
Fees
It is important to understand that many 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.
Please expect a fee for non-NHS services which are listed below. The staff or your doctor should inform you of any charges before the work is carried out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered by the NHS and what is not covered by the NHS?
The Government’s contract with GP’s 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 that GP’s are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge their own NHS patients:
- Accident or sickness certificates for insurance purposes
- School fee and holiday insurance certificates
- Reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
- Private prescriptions for travel purposes
Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge other institutions:
- Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
- Reports for the Department for 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 GP’s 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, GP’s do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GP’s will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, for example for insurance purposes, they are not required to do this as part of the NHS contract.
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 their patients. Most GP’s have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their times, so many GP’s find that these requests have to be added on to their workload in addition to the contractual workload.
I only need the doctor’s signature – It will only take a minute…
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of their medical registration that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, 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 subsequent involvement of the General Medical Council (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the police.
What will I be charged?
The practice will always aim to inform patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the guidance fee will be. The current list of fees is listed above and a copy can be made available at reception if required.
What can i do to help?
- Not all documents need a signature by a doctor, for example passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms immediately. Urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly and may incur and additional fee.
What type of report work doesn’t have to be done by my GP?
There is some medical examination and report work that can be done by any doctor, not only a patient’s GP. For this work there are no set or recommended fees which means doctors may set their own fees.