Information for Patients and Third Parties
Private Fees
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, 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.
The BMA (British Medical Association) suggest fees for non-NHS work, which is not covered under the GP NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients and third parties in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge.
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/her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload, the majority working up to 60 hours a week and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. Additionally, all non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS-contracted time.
Examples of non-NHS Services for which GP’s can charge their patients are:
- Medicals for pre-employment driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc).
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad.
- To Whom it May Concern letters.
- Accident/ sickness insurance certificates.
Examples of non-NHS Services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- Medical reports for insurance agencies.
- DVLA reports and medicals.
- Examinations of Local Authority employees.
I only need the doctor’s signature – what’s 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.
To complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor therefore has 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.
What will I be charged?
We will tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the fee will be; our charges for non-NHS work are outlined below. All fees must be paid in advance of work being completed and supplied.
Please note priority will be given to NHS work and clinical care. We aim to complete all non-NHS work within 28 workings days. The charges may be higher if the work required is significantly more than expected – we will advise you in advance if this is the case.
