Non NHS Work (including fees)
The NHS provides the majority of healthcare services free of charge. However, there are a number of services that fall outside of NHS provision. These are classed as non-NHS (private) services, and a fee will be charged for these.
This policy outlines when fees apply, how they are calculated, and what patients can expect.
What Are Non-NHS Services?
Non-NHS services are those that are not covered under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Medical reports or letters requested by patients or third parties
- Insurance claim forms
- Pre-employment or occupational health medicals
- Fitness to travel or participate in activities (e.g. sports, diving)
- Private sick notes or certificates
- DVLA medical examinations (where applicable)
- Holiday cancellation forms
- Firearms licence medical reports
GPs are not contractually obliged to carry out this work.
Fees
Charges for private services are set in accordance with recommended guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) and reflect:
- The time required to complete the work
- The complexity of the request
- Administrative processing
A list of current fees is available from reception or on our website (see attachment)
Payment Terms
- Payment is required in advance of work being undertaken unless otherwise agreed
- We accept payment via bank transfer only (Cash no longer accepted)
- Work will not commence until payment has been received
Please note that fees are non-refundable once work has started.
Processing Times
We aim to complete private work within 10–20 working days; however, this may vary depending on workload and GP availability.
Urgent requests cannot always be accommodated, and we advise allowing sufficient time when submitting requests.
Completion of Forms
- Patients are responsible for ensuring that all relevant sections of forms are completed before submission
- Incomplete forms may be returned and may delay processing
- Additional charges may apply if further work is required
Medical Reports and Letters
- GPs will only provide factual medical information based on the patient’s medical records
- We cannot guarantee that requests will be approved or that reports will meet third-party expectations
- Some requests may be declined if deemed inappropriate or outside the GP’s expertise
Confidentiality and Consent
- All requests for non-NHS work require patient consent
- Information will be shared strictly in line with data protection legislation
Right to Decline
The practice reserves the right to decline requests for non-NHS work where appropriate. This may be due to:
- Insufficient information
- Conflict of interest
- Requests outside the scope of general practice
Complaints
If you have concerns about fees or the handling of a request, please contact the Practice Manager. Complaints will be handled in line with the practice complaints procedure.
Review of Fees
Fees are reviewed periodically and may be updated without prior notice. The latest fee schedule is always available on request.
Contact Us
If you have any queries regarding private services or fees, please contact reception.