Medical examinations for special purposes e.g. elderly drivers, pre-employment, insurance medicals can be arranged by appointment. A fee is payable for these examinations. We accept cash or a card machine is available at reception.

Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, for example for insurance purposes, there is no requirement to do such non NHS work and they reserve the right to refuse. A charge is payable for providing non NHS forms and certificates, see private fees list below. 

Private (non NHS) work requests can take up to 4 weeks for completion, depending on the complexity this can take longer.

What happens after I submit my request/form?

Request is sent to the practice accounts administrator, who will then confirm the fee to be charged and produce an invoice to send to the patient.

Patient pays the fee required.  (Payment via BACS preferred) Invoices are to be paid within 7 days. If we do not receive payment we will assume you no longer want to continue with the request and it will be cancelled.

Request submitted to the GP for completion.

GP completes the request and sends to the Admin team.

Admin team contact the patient to confirm collection.

Why do GP’s charge fees?

Non-NHS work takes our staff away form their normal NHS roles and adds extra hours to their day. Please remember that there are many steps and staff members involved in the process from your request for work to be done to the completed work returning to you.  The time taken to do these tasks is often underestimated. A simple letter or form will take a route through the organisation involving up to 5 members of staff. The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work but for non NHS work the fee has to cover the doctors costs. Our fees are calculated based on our GPs private hourly rate.

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 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 be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

 Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their patients

• Certain travel vaccinations
• Private medical insurance reports
• Holiday cancellation forms
• Referral for private care forms
• Letters request by, or on behalf of, the patient
• In certain instances fitness to work forms
• HGV/LGV/PCV examinations

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

• Medical reports for an insurance company
• Some reports for the DSS/Benefit Agency
• Examinations of local authority employees

How long does it take? 

We aim to complete all types of medical form within 4 weeks depending on the complexity of the form. Complex cases may take up to 6 weeks.

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Most GPs have a heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. The majority of GPs work up to 60 hours per week. In addition non NHS work must be completed outside of the GPs contracted NHS work hours.

 I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When doctors sign a certificate or complete a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patients medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the police. The charge reflects either the time required to check information and/or the degree of responsibility in signing the document.

Do GPs have to do non NHS work for their patients?

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, there is no requirement to do such non NHS work.