Below are a collection of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding non-NHS work; you will also see a table showing our charges for services that fall into this category below;
Isn’t the NHS free?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, however, there are some exceptions.
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 producing medical reports for insurance companies.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
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.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their own NHS patients are:
- accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies.
- reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance.
- medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering.
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain 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.
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The BMA suggests fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (i.e. work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees suggested by the BMA are intended for guidance only; they are not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates they suggest.
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 have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends. We aim to complete non-NHS work within 4 to 6 weeks.
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 (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.
| What will I be charged? | Fee | VAT | Total due | |
| Certificates/letters | ||||
| Shotgun License application | £41.67 | £8.33 | £50.00 | |
| Holiday cancellation | £29.17 | £5.83 | £35.00 | |
| ‘To Whom it May Concern’/simple certificate/letter (1 page) | * | £30.00 | ||
| Complex/ detailed certificate/letter | * | £60.00 | ||
| Letter to take medicines/consumables abroad (the right hand side of green prescription can be used for this purpose) | * | £30.00 | ||
| Private sickness certificate | * | £30.00 | ||
| * Depending on the content, VAT may be added | ||||
| Medicals | ||||
| Driving medicals (including HGV, PSV, Taxi) – with examination | £91.67 | £18.33 | £110.00 | |
| Driving medicals (including HGV, PSV, Taxi) – without examination | £75.00 | £15.00 | £90.00 | |
| Adoption and fostering medicals | £100.00 | £20.00 | £120.00 | |
| Adoption and fostering medical update reports | £50.00 | £10.00 | £60.00 | |
| Full medicals eg for insurance with examination | £154.17 | £30.83 | £185.00 | |
| Full medicals eg for insurance without examination | £108.33 | £21.67 | £130.00 | |
| We do not complete eye tests/examination. If this is required as part of the medical it will need to be arranged separately by the patient and will likely incur a fee from the provider. | ||||
| Reports | ||||
| Report for insurance applicants (using template) | £86.67 | £17.33 | £104.00 | |
| Detailed written report with opinion/statement of condition with examination | £154.17 | £30.83 | £185.00 | |
| Detailed written report with opinion/statement of condition without examination | £108.33 | £21.67 | £130.00 | |
| Simple written report without opinion/statement of fact without examination | £41.67 | £8.33 | £50.00 | |
| Power of Attorney and assessment of capacity | ||||
| Examination and certificate – in surgery | £75.00 | £15.00 | £90.00 | |
| Examination and certificate – home visit | £108.33 | £21.67 | £130.00 | |
| Witnessing Lasting Power of Attorney | £41.67 | £8.33 | £50.00 | |
| Assessment of capacity | £75.00 | £15.00 | £90.00 | |
| Housing and letters of support | ||||
| We are committed to supporting our patients. However when applying for benefits, housing, passes, adjustments or any other matter where medical conditions are relevant we will only supply information when approached formally by a third party for a factual report. We will not routinely provide letters when asked by patients. | ||||
| Services we do not offer (list not exhaustive) | ||||
| Counter signature – Driving license | ||||
| Counter signature – Passport adult/child | ||||
| Private blood tests | ||||
| Private ECG | ||||
| Private pre-admission swabs | ||||
| DNA testing | ||||
| Fit/unit to fly for pregnancy | ||||
| Fit/unfit to travel/fly/cruise | ||||
| Private prescription for non NHS eligible medication | ||||
| Private flu vaccination for non NHS eligible patients | ||||
| Blue badge applications | ||||
| Letters for missed examination | ||||
| Fit for sport medicals – e.g. scuba diving/parachuting | ||||