Fees and Charges for Non NHS work
Why Fees are charged
The Government’s contract with GP’s covers medical services to NHS patients however in recent years more organisations have been involving doctors in non-medical work. GP’s are usually asked because they are in a position of trust in the community or because an insurance company, employer or public body wants to ensure that the information provided to them is true and accurate. The following Questions and Answers are taken from advice by the British Medical Association (BMA) to help patients understand the fees charged by GP’s.
Do GP’s have to complete non NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions such as confirming that a patient is not fit for jury service GP’s do not have to carry out non NHS work. Many GP’s however will always attempt to assist their patients with this work.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form/letter?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of patients. GP’s have an ever increasing workload of forms which must be prioritised against offering appointments.
I only need the GP’s signature, what’s the problem?
When a GP signs a certificate, completes a report or writes a letter it is a condition of remaining on the medical register (which allows them to practice as a doctor) that they only sign what they know to be true. To complete even the simplest of forms the GP may have to check a patient’s entire medical record.
Carelessness or inaccuracy can have serious consequences for the doctor with the general medical council (the doctor regulatory body) of even the police.
Who sets the fees and why do some doctors charge different fees?
The BMA suggests fees that may be charged in certain circumstances; however these are intended for guidance only. Doctors are not obliged to charges the rates suggested by the BMA and the fees will generally reflect the amount of work and time involved.
Why do GP’s charge for the completion of cremation forms?
A deceased person cannot be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known and properly recorded. Before cremation takes place two certificates must be signed, one by the GP and one by another doctor. The completion of these forms is not part of a doctor’s NHS duties and the fees are usually charged to the funeral director who generally passes the cost onto the family.
These fees are agreed with the national association of funeral directors, the national society of allied and independent funeral directors and co-operative funeral care. Death certificates are a separate form and are completely free of charge.
What notice is needed for completion of reports and letters?
To allow the practice to plan the GP’s time 4 weeks’ notice is required although many are completed before this time. Where a patient has an urgent request this should be explained to the receptionist who will note the request however it is not always possible for other more clinically urgent work to be delayed.
Please see overleaf for the current charges and fees for Warden Lodge Medical Practice.
Prices as at April 2024
| Certificates | Charges |
| Private Certificate –sicknote | £30 |
| Driving Licence Photograph | £30 |
| Freedom from Infection | £30 |
| Firearm Licence | No longer available |
| Reports/Letters | |
| BUPA/PPP etc | £60 |
| Sickness/Accident Insurance Benefit Claim Form | £60 |
| Full Examination and Report | £120 |
| Employer report/opinion without examination | £90 |
| GP report for insurance applicants | £90 |
| GP supplementary reports | £30 |
| Adoption IHA/AH health assessment form | £90 |
| Childminder (Ofsted health declaration form) | £60 |
| Overseas pension form | £35 |
| To whom it may concern letters | £35 |
| Fitness to attend –for schools/sports/univ(exam and report) | £60 |
| Fitness to attend –for schools/sports/univ(report and opinion) | £35 |
| Mental Capacity Assessment Report | £90 |
| Health Club/Weight Management | £60 |
| Power of attorney form/surgery consultation | £60 |
| Access to records under DPA | No fee unless notified by practice. |
| Medical Examinations | |
| Fee for home visit private patient | £120 |
| Private prescription | £15 |
| Pre employment medical examination | £120 |
| Pre employment medical LGV/PCV/Taxi | £120 (optician fee not included if test recommended by GP) |
| Elderly driver fitness medical examination | £120 |
| Racing Driver fitness medical examination | £120 |
| Diving medical examination excluding xrays | £120 |
| Diving medical examination excluding xrays with report | £120 |
| Power of attorney form and home visit consultation | £180 |
| Travel Abroad | |
| Private Prescription for drugs required solely for purpose of travel abroad | £15 |
| Vaccination Certificate | £15 |
| Holiday cancellation certificate | £35 |
| Fitness to travel certificate | £35 |