Why GPs sometimes charge fees
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, 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.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
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.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their own NHS patients:
- Accident or sickness certificates for insurance purposes
- School fee and holiday insurance certificates
- Reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:
- Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
- Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
- Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
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.
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 and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time.
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 (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.
What can I do to help?
Not all documents need a signature by a doctor, for example passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge. Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. Urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more.
What will I be charged?
Non-NHS Fees
Reports
- Court of protection assessment of capacity, no examination – £55.00, £11.00, £66.00
- Medical report (detailed written report) – £110.83, £22.17, £133.00
- Medical report (short extract from medical records) – £55.83, £11.17, £67.00
- Medical report (supplementary information) – £25.00, £5.00, £30.00
- Medical report (on pro forma) – £74.58, £14.92, £89.50
- Ofsted health form – childminder or other professional – £75.83, £15.17, £91.00
- Housing needs report and opinion – £110.83, £22.17, £133.00
- Accident insurance claim form (detailed written report) – £110.83, £22.17, £133.00
- DVLA report – £40.00, £8.00, £48.00
Medical examinations/ private consultations
- Non insurance medical examination and report – includes HGV, sports medical, pre-employment medical – £108.33, £21.67, £130.00
- Insurance examination and report – £150.00, Exempt, £150.00
- Insurance report pro forma – £104.00, Exempt, £104.00
- Insurance report (supplementary information) – £27.00, Exempt, £27.00
- Court of protection assessment of capacity with examination – £110.00, £22.00, £132.00
- Adoption and fostering health assessment and report – £100.00, £20.00, £120.00
- Private consultation – GP – £60.00, Exempt, £60.00
- Private consultation – nurse – £40.00, Exempt, £40.00
- Private blood test (excluding paternity test) NB more than one blood test might be needed depending on type of test – £29.17, £5.83, £35.00
- Private prescription – £12.50, £2.50, £15.00
- Power of attorney (£ per hour) – £250.00, £50.00, £300.00
Certificates/forms/letters
- Private sick note – required by patient for presentation to employer – NB any sick note within 7 days is private – £25.00, £5.00, £30.00
- Straightforward certificate of fact – £16.67, £3.33, £20.00
- Accident or sickness insurance certificate – short certificate of incapacity without examination for patient to claim under accident or sickness insurance – £50.00, Exempt, £50.00
- Freedom from infection certificate – for school, travel or employment – £41.67, £8.33, £50.00
- Passport form / driving license / photograph countersignature – £33.33, £6.67, £40.00
- Private health claim form (e.g. BUPA) – £50.00, Exempt, £50.00
- Holiday cancellation form – £41.67, £8.33, £50.00
- Short letter / To whom if may concern letter – £25.00, £5.00, £30.00
- Blue badge – report / Information for local authority – £20.83, £4.17, £25.00
- Vaccination certificate – £33.33, £6.67, £40.00
- Seat belt exemption- £25.00, Exempt, £30.00
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