Non-NHS Services

 

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Why GP's charge fees

Q: Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?
A: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, printing 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.

Q: What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
A: 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.

Q: Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
A: 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

Q: Who sets the fees for non-NHS work?
A: The BMA suggest fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (ie work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees.

Q: Can a fee be charged by a GP for the completion of cremation forms?
A: It is important to differentiate between death certificates (which must be completed free of charge) and cremation forms. Cremation forms, unlike death certificates, require doctors to make certain investigations which do not form part of their NHS duties. A deceased person cannot be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known and properly recorded. Before cremation can take place two certificates need to be signed, one by the GP and one by another doctor. Cremation form 4 must be, as stated, completed by the registered medical practitioner who attended the deceased during their last illness. Form 5 must be completed by a registered medical practitioner who is neither a partner nor a relative of the doctor who completed form. A fee can be charged for the completion of both forms 4 and 5 as this does not form part of a doctor's NHS duties. Doctors normally charge these fees to the funeral director, who, generally passes on the cost to the family. Doctors are also entitled to charge a mileage allowance, where appropriate.

Q: Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
A: 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.

Q: I only need the doctor's signature - what is the problem?
A: 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.

 

Fees For Administration Services From April 1st 2022

Access to Records under Data Protection Act

 
Photocopy / Print-outs of blood results, letters etc. for personal use  Free
Copy of manual records or combination of manual/computerised. Request must be made in writing Free
Computerised record (Summary Printout)  Free

Certificates/Letters/Reports (Without Examination)

 
To Whom It May Concern letter (e.g confirming registration, confirming address, exam letters, benefit letters, proof of vaccine)  £20
Private Certificate (Sick Note)  £20
Insurance Claim Form (BUPA, Health Insurance Claim)  £40
Camp America Application Form £40
Health Club Fitness to Exercise (gym letter)  £40
University Health Questionnaire £40
Completion of DS 1500 – Paid for by Benefits Dept  
Fostering Form – Paid for by Fostering Agency (speak to Christine Bull)   

Medical Examination & Reports

 
Employers / PHV/HGV/Taxi /204PCO/LGV/PCV/Elderly Driver/Mental Capacity: With examination (Double App)  £100
Child-minder form £40
Factual Report for Disability / Attendance Allowance (paid by Council)   

Power of Attorney Forms

 
At Discretion of GP – GP needs to agree to sign before appointment is booked   
POA Health Form (20 min App)  £100
POA Finance Form (20 min App) £100
COP3 Form – Not Completed By GP  

Travel Abroad 

 
Holiday Cancellation Form £40
Fitness to Travel Cert £30
Private Prescription/Medical Certificate £20
Free Under NHS
(Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio, Hep A, Hep A Junior, typhoid & Hep/Typhoid) 
 

Not under NHS (cost covered by patient)
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis B Adults (Travel course of 3): Per Injection
Hepatitis B Children: Per Injection 


£70
£40
£40

We are unable to provide administrative services for the completion of the following forms:

  • Passport
  • Diving Assessment
  • Proof Of Identity