Non-NHS Services
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples 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
- Letters to non-NHS organisations
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.
GPs are asked to provide letters or complete reports for a variety of reasons. Some letters, and reports for third parties are not covered by the NHS contract and are considered private work. This work can carry a fee to complete.
Why is there a charge?
The GP will require time to review the patients medical record in order to provide factually accurate information. There may also be an administrative cost to produce and send the information to the patient or third party.
I have a deadline, how long will the work take?
NHS contracted work, including unexpected and acute work, will always take priority over private letters and reports. We normally advise an estimated timescale of 28 days to complete.
What information will my GP provide?
The GP will only write what they know, supported by factual information contained in the medical record.
They will not accept requests for specific wording, and the information they provide will be final.
We reserve the right to withdraw our offer at any point before completion if we receive unreasonable requests from the patient or third party.
What type of letter or report will you accept?
Examples include insurance and travel cancellation claims, fitness to travel, confirmation of medical conditions, and letters for some mitigating circumstances.
What will not be accepted?
We cannot provide countersignatures for passport applications, some letters in support of council requirements, some confirmations of ID or contact details, and anything that is not contained in your medical record.
Please note, we use a third party known as iGPR to support the completion of some GDPR compliant medical reports. Further information on this can be found in our Privacy Notice, or ask at reception for a copy.
Fees for Benefits certification e.g. PIP, Universal Credit
The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions), or a healthcare professional working for the Health Assessment Advisory Service on behalf of the DWP may require certain medical information relating to patients on whom a certificate is being considered.
If this is the case, they will write to your GP directly, specifying the information that is required. A GP cannot offer an opinion on incapacity to work to anyone else, and there is no obligation to provide reports or letters of support direct to the patient free of charge. This includes the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Tribunal Service.
Please contact Jobcentre Plus or the Appeals service as appropriate, for further advice in the first instance, if you feel further information is required.
