Non-NHS Services

 

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

Image of a doctor

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. Please note that this is a guide and fee scales can change over time. A charge may be higher depending on the complexity of a patient’s medical conditions and how long it may take the GP to collate all the necessary information.

Service Routine (within 8 weeks from payment) Urgent (within 2 weeks from payment)
Bus Pass Application/Renewal £20.00 £40.00
Disabled Riding – Fitness for Disabled Riding £20.00 £40.00
Freedom from Infection Certificate/Letter £40.00 £80.00
Holiday/Travel Cancellation/Certificate/Letter £35.00 £70.00
Insurance Claim Form (Sickness/Accident/Travel etc) £35.00 £70.00
Letter - General for College/School/Housing/Fitness/etc £30.00 £60.00
Medical Examinations – All ( Driver/Employment etc) £120.00 £240.00
Firearm Licensing £85.00 N/A
Medical Report £126.00 £252.00
Occupational Health questionnaire / Pre-Employment Health Declaration for an employer or University course £63.00 £126.00
Private Medical Consultation £40.00 per 10 mins £80.00 per 10 mins
Private Medical Consultation Home Visit £100.00 £200.00
Private Medical Consultation (to include out of hours visit) £130.00 £260.00
Private Sick Note/Certificate £30.00 £60.00
Seat Belt Exemption Certificate (from records) £20.00 £40.00
Seat Belt Exemption Certificate with Medical £100.00 £200.00
Taxi Voucher Application on Medical Grounds £20.00 £40.00
Medical Examination arranged short notice(on the day / next day) £240.00
Failure to attend Medical Examination £75.00
Photocopying (per side) 60p
 

Travel vaccination fees

Hepatitis B Course
  • £45 per dose (3 doses required)
  • Doses at 0,1 and 5 months
Meningitis (ACWY Vax)
  • £55 per dose (1 dose required)
  • No Booster required unless for certificate reasons
Meningitis B
  • £100 per dose
  • No Booster
Rabies Course
  • £65 per dose (3 doses required)
  • Doses at 1,7,21(or 28) days
  • 10 years need Booster 
Malaria Tablets
  • £15 charge for Private Prescription
Chicken Pox
  • £60 per dose (2 doses required)
  • Doses at least 4 weeks apart
Tick Bourne Encephalitis
  • £65 per dose (3 doses required)
  • Doses at 0, 1-3months and 1 year
  • 2nd dose must be given at least 1 week prior to travel
  • 3 years Booster needed

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?

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. In many cases it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example medical reports for insurance companies.

 

Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?

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.

 

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 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 ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs 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

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs 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 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 and urgent NHS patient work will need to take priority over Non-NHS patient 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 night and weekends.

 

I only need the doctor's 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. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council (the doctors' regulatory body) or even the Police.

 

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.

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 at the same time to speed up the process.

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.

 

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.

 

What will I be charged?

Please see our list of fees in the surgery or on our website for the most common services. In some cases, a charge is higher depending on the complexity of a patient’s medical conditions and how long it may take the GP to collate all the necessary information.

Payment should be made when the form or request is made. Appointments for medicals will only be made once payment is received. Payment for services can be made by cash or cheque. There will be no refund in case of dissatisfaction with the doctor’s professional opinion.