Non-NHS Services

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

Services which are outside of the NHS Contract

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.

Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.

List of common charges (this list is not exhaustive). 

• To Whom It May Concern letter: £25
• Fitness to travel certificate: £27.00 
• Not Fit to Travel: £27.00
• Taxi Medical: £133 
• HGV Medical: £133 
• Health Declaration (not in person): £56
• Health Declaration (with exam): £133
• Firearms License: £80

The practice does not accept cash payment, we have a card machine to take payment from a Credit/Debit Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff salaries, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs only for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work 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 GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

• accident/sickness insurance certificates
• certain travel vaccinations
• private medical insurance reports
• statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes, gym membership etc
• Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
• Holiday cancellation claim forms
• Referral for private care forms

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:

• medical reports for an insurance company
• some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
• examinations of occupational health

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 patients. Currently 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. 

At Statham Grove Surgery we aim to complete forms/letters within 15 working days.

I only need the Doctor’s signature – why must I pay?

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, the Doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the Doctor. In addition, doctors pay significant amounts of money each year to remain on the Medical Register, so if the signature is for non-NHS work, your payment contributes a little towards this.

What can I do to help?

• If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
• Please do not expect your GP to process forms/letters immediately (allow 15 working days)

Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following: 

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.) 
• Insurance Claim Forms 
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad 
• Private Sick Notes 
• Vaccination Certificates 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and are available from Practice Reception Staff.

Non-NHS (Private) Healthcare

In recent times the number of people in the UK accessing health care via private providers has increased. 

As an NHS practice we are keen that our service is fair for all our patients.

Private requests will take the same time to complete as NHS ones. 

At Statham Grove we do not recommend specific private providers. If a private referral is requested and agreed to be appropriate, we will write to your chosen provider. This is usually free of charge.

We are also mindful of the BMA guidance of General Practice responsibility in responding to private healthcare

And NHS guidelines for those choosing private healthcare

This means that we may not be able to issue medication, treatment, monitoring or ongoing referrals suggested by your private provider, although this will be considered on a case by case basis.