Non – NHS / Private work. Why are fees charged?
The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. However, in recent years more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a wide range of non-NHS work. This work is not funded by the government, so GPs have to charge a fee to cover their time and other expenses.
Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS. They are self-employed and they have to cover the costs of everything from the limited NHS funds provided – staff wages, buildings, heating, lighting, etc. – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers costs for NHS work, but not for non-NHS work, the fees charged by GPs contribute towards keeping the surgery running.
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.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form/letter?
Time spent completing forms & preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of patients which will always have top priority. GPs have ever increased workload of forms which must be prioritised against offering appointments and other urgent administration. We aim to complete non-NHS work within 28 days of receipt.
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 doctor may have to check a patient’s entire medical record.
Turnover time
Because NHS work always takes priority, private requests are always completed outside of normal working hours of our staff and clinicians this means that the waiting time for completion of the document / certificate / form may be long and our current standard is 6 weeks.
Pricing List
| Description of Request / Work | Fee Payable |
| Travel / Holiday | |
| Cancellation Claim (Certificate Only) | £75 |
| Cancellation Claim (report & examination) | £80 |
| Fitness to Travel (certificate only) | £75 |
| Fitness to Travel (report & examination) | £80 |
| Fitness to Work Note (Sick Note) Please note that if your sickness is for seven days or less the GP does not have to provide a sick note. You may be charge for the private sick note for illnesses of seven days or less. | |
| Private Sick Note | £75 |
| To whom it may concern letter | £60 |
| Power of Attorney Forms: either or both Health and Welfare and Property and Finances | |
| Signature only | £80 |
| Appointment / Examination and signature | £160 |
| Medical Services (examinations and reports) | |
| HGV/Bus (examination & forms completed) | £120 |
| Taxi (examination & forms completed) | £120 |
| Company Medical Exam & Report | £200 |
| Company Medical Report Only | £80 |
| Private Medical (e.g. Camp America etc.) | £80 |
| Police/Fire Service and Army Application Medical Form | £50 |
| University Medical Questionnaire | £50 |
| Medical Report for Firearms License | £50 |
| Buss pass application form | No fee |
| Medical Records | No fee |
| Council Tax Discount Certificates | No fee |
| Other work not listed above | |
| Straightforward Certificate | £50 |
| Complex Certificate – without examination Accident of sickness insurance certificate – short certificate of incapacity for claim under accident and sickness injuryFreedom from infection certificate (for school, travel, or employment)Validation of private medical insurance (PMI) claim form, to support a claim for benefit in connection with private medical insurance, or completion of a pre-treatment form.Health club brief written report to certify that a patient is fit for exercise.School certificates | £75 |
| Extract from records | £50 |
| Report on pro forma – no examination | £75 |
| Written report without examination providing statement on the condition of the patient | £75 |