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 and individuals have been involving GPs in a range of non-NHS work. In these circumstance a fee will be applied.
Why does my doctor charge fees?
When your GP is asked to give medical information about you in the form of a report, letter or certificate, this takes time and is not always straightforward or simple to complete. Some of the information is not available easily and will mean the GP has to review your clinical record in detail and select the right information for the request.
The GP also must establish who is funding this work and if it is not part of their NHS work, agree a fee for this.
Surely the work is paid for by the NHS?
Many patients see their GP as the embodiment of the NHS and all that it provides – free care at the point of delivery. However not all work GPs are asked to do is paid for by the NHS and many GPs are self-employed.
This means GPs must cover their time and costs i.e. in the same way as any business. The NHS only pays for NHS work, any work outside of the NHS must be funded by other means and this is why fees are charged.
Why does it take so long?
Your GP has a finite amount of time to deal with non-NHS work and all requests will vary in complexity, volume and consistency ranging from signing a certificate which can take minutes, to an in-depth report with an examination that can take hours.
Can my doctor say no to this request?
With certain exceptions written within their contract, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work. However, many choose to for the benefit of their patients.
Should their volume of work prove to be greater or more complex than expected, a member of the Practice will contact you to discuss how to proceed.
What are the fees?
Where a GP chooses to undertake the work, we will advise you of the cost to you in advance of undertaking work.
The Practice requires payment prior to your appointment for all non-NHS services.
Payment is taken by reception in cash or by card machine.
Please ask reception for a receipt, if required.
Click here to view Private Charges to Patients
Click here for information regarding private travel fees
What can I do to help?
- Not all documents need a signature by a GP and can be done by other professionals. Please check your form and accompanying guidance as you may get a quicker response that way.
- 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 immediately. Urgent requests may mean that a GP has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may incur a different fee.
- Do not book an appointment with a GP to complete forms without checking with our administrative staff if it is necessary.