Non-NHS Private Fees

 
 

About Non-NHS Private Fees

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. 

We use a processor, iGPR Technologies Limited (“iGPR”), to assist us with responding to report requests relating to your patient data, such as subject access requests that you submit to us (or that someone acting on your behalf submits to us) and report requests that insurers submit to us under the Access to Medical Records Act 1988 in relation to a life insurance policy that you hold or that you are applying for. iGPR manages the reporting process for us by reviewing and responding to requests in accordance with our instructions and all applicable laws, including UK data protection laws. The instructions we issue to iGPR include general instructions on responding to requests and specific instructions on issues that will require further consultation with the GP responsible for your care.

If you have been notified that your report is being completed by iGPR then you can contact them directly to request an update on progress. Please contact iGPR anytime between 9am and 5pm by calling 01527 570005 or via their website.

List of Services We Provide Privately as of 1st July 2023

 

Certificates / Letters / Forms 

  • Private Sickness Certificate for patient (VAT Exempt) - £20.00
  • Private occupational health sickness or medical report to employer on behalf of patient (Standard rate VAT 20% included in fee) - £72.00
  • Holiday Cancellation: Extract from records medical report no examination (VAT Exempt) - £35.00
  • Shotgun Licence  (Standard rate VAT 20% included in fee) - £72.00
  • Certificate of Incapacity / on-going illness (VAT Exempt) - £20.00
  • Simple letter (statement of Fact), General letter ‘To whom it my concern’ (VAT Exempt) - £15.00
  • Ofsted Report (to become a child minder)   (Standard rate VAT 20% included in fee) - £105.60
  • Private Health Insurance Claim: Extract from records, no examination  (VAT Exempt) - £50.00
  • Written detailed factual only (no opinion) report with no examination for benefit of patients health, charged to patient (VAT Exempt) - £45.00
  • Private Prescription (Standard rate VAT 20% included in fee) - £18.00
  • Copies of medical records under Access to Health Records Act 1990, Access to Medical Reports 1988 or Data Protection Act 1998 (SAR - Subject Access Request) - Free
 

Other Fees

  • Adoption & Fostering - Who Pays: Usually the Local Authority, if private £80.00 Plus VAT
  • Adoption & Fostering: Child-Minder Health Form - Who Pays: Local Authority
  • Blue Badge (Report Only) - Who Pays: Local Authority
  • Blue Badge (Examination & Report) - Who Pays: Local Authority
  • Insurance Reports / Medical Examination - Who Pays: Insurance Company
  • Supplementary Insurance Reports - Who Pays: Insurance Company
  • Report to DVLA with Examination - Who Pays: DVLA
  • Report to DVLA with No Examination - Who Pays: DVLA

List of Services We Do Not Provide Privately as of 1st July 2023

 
  • Sign Passports
  • Complete Fitness to Travel or Fly or To Participate in Sporting Events
  • Sign any Power of Attorney forms
  • Capacity Assessments
  • Complete Driver Medicals (exception HGV)

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?

Your questions answered in our FAQ.

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

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 is not covered by the NHS, 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, 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 fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.

Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?

With certain limited exceptions, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work. Many GPs however will always attempt to assist their patients and carry out this work.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs 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 GPs 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.

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of local authority employees
  • DS 1500 Form (Disability Living/Attendance Allowance)

Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?

The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.

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 – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – 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.

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 or even the Police.

What will I be charged?

The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees which many doctors use. Surgeries often have lists of fees on the waiting room wall based on these suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need 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.
  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once as a (job lot) at a reduced price.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You should expect the form(s) to take up to 4 weeks for the GP to complete and return