Services which are outwith the NHS Contract
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.
Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.
Housing letters
We have not completed any requests of letters for housing since 1 March 2021. This pertains to all general practitioners.
Firearms medicals
Park Medical Centre GPs refuse to provide reports requesting medical information relating to any individual for the purpose of assessing them for suitability for issuing them a firearms certificate.
We refuse to provide a report because we have a conscientious objection to the holding of firearms. We are aware of our responsibilities and obligations under GMC guidance on conscientious objection.
School Sick Notes or School Toilet Passes
On no occasion will notes be provided by the doctors for school including toilet passes or sick notes. If the school has concerns about a child, they can contact the Surgery directly on [email protected]
Current charges for Non-NHS Services
| Letter written at patient request | £30 |
| Private sick note | £30 |
| Accident or sickness insurance certificate required by patient for presentation to an employer except for those which the doctor is obliged to provide. | £30 |
| Letter for Holiday Cancellation – (GP needs to confirm able to provide) | £30 |
| Accident or sickness insurance certificate Short certificate of incapacity without examination for patient claim under accident or sickness insurance. Occupational Health Factual Report | £50 |
| Freedom from infection certificate, eg for school, travel or employer | £30 |
| GP report for insurance applicants Supplementary report | £104 £30 |
| Private medical insurance claim form To support a claim for benefit in connection with private medical insurance, or completion of a pre-treatment form. | £40-60 depending on complexity |
| School fees and holiday insurance certificates Letter/Reports Blue badge and freedom pass scheme GP’s letter report | £40 |
| Extract from records First set is given without charge. Subsequent copies are chargeable | £67 |
| Report on a pro forma, no examination Max 20 minutes Including: BUPA Health Practitioner Questionnaire for referrals. | £89.50 |
| Childminder health forms for Ofsted Completion of health form | £91 |
| Completion of AH2/Fostering Form | £100 |
| Solicitors report (done in exceptional circumstances with prior agreement from GP) | £100.00 |
| Solicitors report and examination (done in exceptional circumstances with prior agreement from GP) | £130.00 |
| Written report with examination (Taxi/HGV) Providing a detailed opinion and statement of the condition Fostering/Adoption Medicals | £130 |
Standard Process
- Patient or representative will contact reception or administration team to request a non-NHS service above
- If a standard request listed above- the reception/administration team will take the appropriate fee and allocate to GP or member of the healthcare team
- There will then be a 4 week turnaround for these letters to be done, sometimes this can be done earlier if exceptional circumstances and sometimes there may be a higher fee
- If the request is not standard and not a listed item above then we would decline the request and you would need to seek the form or letter elsewhere. You can however ask this to be reviewed by a GP but standard waiting times do not apply above and it is not guaranteed this would be accepted. We cannot then be held liable for any delay to your form or letter being completed if you chose not to contact another service.
Your questions answered
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: 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.
In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work 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
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 – 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 or even the Police.
What can I do to help?
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight
Examples of Non-NHS Services 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 Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.
Examples of Non-NHS Services that do not have a fee:
Jury service exemption letter