Information for patients and third parties
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. 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 ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.
The BMA (British Medical Association) suggest fees for non-NHS work, which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients and third parties in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge.
Also following updated guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA), our practice no longer issues or signs “fit to travel” or “fit to participate” forms. GPs are advised not to certify these forms due to medico-legal risks and limitations in assessing suitability.
Please consult your travel provider or event organiser for alternative arrangements.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions for example, a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients.
Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms for example for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
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. – Please note for our practice the standard waiting time for reports is 28 days. Should you need this expedited, there may be a fee incurred.
Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they must complete this work outside of and in addition to their normal hours.
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.
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 (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the police.
A list of our current fees (to be reviewed again in April 2024) is provided below. All fees must be paid in advance of work being completed and supplied.
We Accept Cash Only for the time being.
We reserve the right to suspend, extend processing times for private/non-NHS work at any time due to busy periods.
| SERVICE | WHO PAYS? | FEE |
| To whom it may concern letters (Short GP letters) to support claims such as school, college, housing, Blue Badge, & Insurance. To whom it may concern (Confirmation of Registration) – £45 (No Expidition Fee) | Patient | £60 |
| Adoption and fostering | Patient & Sometimes Agency | £50 |
| Private Sicknote | Patient | £40 |
| Firearm/Shotgun Certificate | Patient | £90 |
| Firearm/Shotgun Certificate (Including Examination) | Patient | £140 |
| Private Prescription | Patient | £25 |
| Letter to take medication abroad | Patient | £40 |
| Holiday Cancellation Certificate (Excluding Examination) | Patient | £90 |
| Holiday Cancellation Certificate (Including Examination) | Patient | £140 |
| Ofsted reports Childminding/teaching | Patient or Employer | £125 |
| CAMP America Forms | Patient | £60 |
| Private medical examinations HGV, PSV, Taxi, Driving Medicals – (Subject to GP availability) *Patients making appointments for HGV/Taxi medicals should bring their form, a urine sample, and ensure they have had an eye test prior to the appointment) | Patient | £145 |
| Sickness/accident claim form completion | Patient | £60 |
| DVLA medical over 75’s Patient | Patient | £70 |
| Private medical/insurance form completion i.e., BUPA/PPP | Patient | £80 |
| SOLICITORS | ||
| Report Request | £110 | |
| Report with Examination | £150 | |
| Court of Protection (COP3)/Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – Mental Capacity Assessment Included | £150 | |
| INSURANCE REPORTS ALL REQUESTS MUST HAVE ACCOMPANYING CONSENT FORM FROM PATIENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION | ||
| Full General Practitioner Report (iGPRs) | £110 | |
| Full General Practitioner Report (iGPRs) – With Examination | £160 | |
| Additional Information Request | £50 | |
| OTHER 3RD PARTY REQUESTS ALL REQUESTS MUST HAVE ACCOMPANYING CONSENT FORM FROM PATIENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION | ||
| Requests for report by employer/occ health | £140 | |
| Army | £90 | |
| Army – With Full Copy of Notes (Online access by patient should be requested which is free to the patient and preferable) | £140 | |
| DVLA Report | £40 | |
| DVLA Examination | £110 | |