Additional Charges
Private Fees and Charges
Why do GP’s charge fees?
Your questions answered
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions. Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees. In other cases it is because the service isn’t covered by the NHS, for example, medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records.
It is important to understand that GP’s 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 pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The government’s contract with GP’s 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 GP’s 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 GP’s can charge their patients
- Certain travel vaccinations
- Private medical insurance reports
- Holiday cancellation forms
- Referral for private care forms
- Letters requested by or on behalf of, the patient
- In certain instances fitness to work forms
Examples of non–NHS services for which GP’s can charge other institutions are?
- Medical reports for an insurance company
- Some reports for the DSS/Benefits agency
- Examinations of local authority employees
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 GP’s have a very heavy workload- the majority of GP’s work up to 60 hours a week and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non–NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted 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. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police
See Private Fees Schedule for Charges.
Private Fees Schedule
The services shown are not provided under the National Health Service contract and the following fees will be charged. If you have any questions relating to these fees, please address them to your Doctor or the Practice Manager before requesting the service.
GENERAL | |
Private Prescription |
£15.00 |
Private Sick Note |
£25.00 |
Private Insurance Claim Forms |
£55.00 |
To Whom It May Concern Letter (private letter) |
£30.00 |
Child Minding Form – Ofsted Health Declaration (SCC/Local Authority) Other Not Complex |
£98.00 £41.00 |
EMPLOYMENT | |
Employment, Pre-Employment Medical and Report |
£165.00 |
Employment, Pre-Employment Report (No Examination) |
£99.00 |
INSURANCE | |
Medical Insurance Certificate (e.g. BUPA, PPA, PPP) |
£35.00 |
Medical Insurance Report or extract from Medical Records |
£55.00 |
Medical Assessment Reports (Fee fixed by Insurance company £ 89.00) | |
Medical Assessment Report & Medical |
£165.00 |
Medical Assessment Report without Medical Examination |
£99.00 |
DRIVING | |
Medical and Report (e.g. Elderly, HGV, PSV and Taxi) |
£135.00 |
Driver Insurance Form – with Medical (e.g taxi renewal) |
£135.00 |
Driver Insurance Form – without Medical |
£55.00 |
SPORT | |
Fitness for Gym |
£30.00 |
Sports report detailed |
£50.00 |
Sports Medical Firearms Licence (New/Renewal) |
£99.00 £60.00 |
TRAVEL | |
Private Prescription ( Travel ) |
£15.00 |
Fitness to Travel |
£30.00 |
Fitness to Travel Statement with Medical |
£150.00 |
Cancellation of Holiday Claim Form |
£30.00 |
Certificates Incapacity Private Sick Note Other (Short/Simple) |
£25.00 £25.00 £25.00 |
Temporary Residents Not Eligible for NHS treatment | |
Private Consultation (20 minutes) |
£60.00 |
Private Prescription |
£15.00 |
NHS APP
Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet — including ordering prescriptions and viewing booked appointments.
You can use the NHS app to view your medical records, tests results, and order medication.
Download the NHS App, register and once live you will have access to all your information, including your booked appointments.
Accurx is the simple way to communicate about your healthcare. This allow you to input information so your doctors can triage your concerns and offer the right care.
Once completed we will get back to you within 2 working days, if not sooner.
Do you want advice from your GP, self-information or have an administrative request (such as fit note or test results)?
Appointment Cancellations
You can use SystmOnline or NHS App to cancel your appointment, or by calling the surgery and selecting option 2.
Know who to turn to for your healthcare
NHS 111 is available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
If it is an emergency call 999.
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