Fees for Non-NHS Services

What is covered and what is not?

The Governments 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

rage of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that a GP is 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 for their own NHS patients includes:

1.Accident or sickness certificates for insurance purposes

2.School fee and holiday insurance certificate

3.Reports for health clubs to certify that patient are fit to exercise

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

1.Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies

2.Reports for the DWP in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance

3.Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption of fostering

Do GPs have to do Non-NHS work for their parent’s?

With certain limited exceptions (e.g., a GP confirming that one of their parent’s is not fit for jury service) GPs DO NOT

have to carry out Non NHS work on behalf of their parent’s. 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 own patients.

Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up increasing amount of their times in the evenings and weekends.

I only need the GPs signature – what is the problem?

When the 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

that patients ensure medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General

Medical Council (GMC) or even the police.

What will I be charged?

A list of our fees can be found overleaf. Please note this is subject to change. All fees are at the discretion of Partners.

What can I do to help?

Not all documents need a signature by a GP. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such

documents free of charge. If you have several forms that need completion, present them all at once an ask your GP if

they are 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.

Is it true that the BMA sets fees for Non-NHS work?

The British Medical Association (BMA) suggests fees that GPs may charge their patients for Non-NHS work. These

suggestions influence the fees that we charge for forms, certificates or reports completed by the GPs. A list of our

fees can be found overleaf.

We are unable to provide/complete:

1.Letters to give authority for staff to administer drugs to children over whom we have not control. Your own

word should be adequate.

2.If schools/collages/organisations want written authorisation then they should write directly to the practice with

your signed parental consent. Letters to schools or colleges explaining absences from GCSE or A Level exams. If the

school or college want written confirmation of illness then they should write directly to the GP with your signed

consent – the charge of £30 still stands and is paid by the parent or school.

3.Signed photos for driving license or passport

4.Letters for the UK Border Agency

5.Power of attorney and capacity assessments