Changes to Charges associated with Non- NHS work
Non-NHS Work
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 GP’s are asked is that 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.
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.
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, 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.
How long will it take to process my request?
We aim to complete your request within two weeks from the date it was received. It is possible that your request may take longer than this due to excessive requests or if NHS work is backlogged.
We are aware that some patients may need non-NHS work completed urgently. We will try our best to complete the work as soon as possible but there is no guarantee that this work can be completed within the timeframe specified.
A list of our current fees is provided below:
All fees must be paid in cash or via bank transfer before collection.
Non-NHS WorkNO FEESubject Access Request/Access to Health Records Request Pursuant to the DPA 2018 and UK GDPRNo charge unless request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. You may incur a ‘reasonable administrative fee’ if requesting a printed copyEvidence of Bankruptcy for CourtCoroner’s Post-mortemCouncil Tax ExemptionsDeath CertificatesStillbirth CertificatesNotification of Infectious DiseasesPaternity TestsNo charge if request is pursuant to The Blood Tests (Evidence of Paternity) Regulations 1971Professional Evidence in CourtJury Service ExemptionStatutory Certificates for DWPNon-NHS Work Requested by PatientsGross Fee ChargedVAT (20%)To Whom It May Concern Letter from GP£37.25To Whom It May Concern Letter from GP (Non-health-related purposes)£44.70YesFirearms Medical Information Proforma£44.70YesHeavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)/Public Transport Service/Taxi/Racing Driver/Pilot Medical Examination£204.00YesLasting Power of Attorney£60.00Police Application to Join Medical Form£60.00Childminder/OFSTED Medical Form£60.00Private GP Consultation (Per 10 minutes)£60.00Blood Test (Diagnostic)£37.25Blood Test (Non-diagnostic purposes, e.g., paternity testing, drug testing)£44.70YesNon-NHS Certificates Requested by PatientsGross Fee ChargedPrivate Fit Note£30.00 to £63.00 (Depending on complexity of request/time taken)Seat Belt Exemption Certificate£30.00 to £63.00 (Depending on complexity of request/time taken)Accident or Sickness Insurance Certificate£30.00 to £63.00 (Depending on complexity of request/time taken)Holiday Insurance Certificate£30.00 to £63.00 (Depending on complexity of request/time taken)Freedom from Infection Certificate£30.00 to £63.00 (Depending on complexity of request/time taken)Straight Forward Certificate of Fact/Declaration£25.00Non-NHS Work Requested by External OrganisationsGross Fee ChargedVAT (20%)General Practitioner’s Report£104.00Supplementary Report£30.00YesFitness to Drive Medical Report£48.00YesFitness to Drive Medical Report – With Examination£102.00YesPIP Report£40.20YesDS1500£20.40YesEmployment Report£133YesEmployment Report – With Examination£204.00YesAdoption/Fostering Examination£73.86YesAdoption/Fostering Report£24.60YesCremation 4: Medical Certificate£82.00
Published on 17 January 2024