| Certificates & Forms | | | Letter of Support /Certificate of Fact/Whom it may concern letter | £25 | | Archibald Taylor Trust Form | Free | | Camp America | £35 | | Private Sicknote | £35 | | Freedom from Infection Certificate, eg for school,travel or employment | £65 | | Sickness/Accident Insurance Benefit Claim Form | £65 | | Patient Fit to Exercise (With / Without Medical) | N/A | | Patient Fit to Drive (With / Without Medical) | £65/£35 | | Medical Examinations & Reports | | | Life Insurance Report | £150 | | Medical Report, One Condition | £150 | | Medical Report, More Than One Condition | £175 | | Employment Report (With / Without Medical) | £200/£150 | | HGV Medical | £100 | | Firearms Form | £100 | | Guardianship/Welfare Medical (additional cost for Home Visit) | £175 | | Travel Abroad | | | Vaccination Certificate | £30 | | Holiday Cancellation Certificate | £30 | | Fitness to Travel Certificate | £30 | | Legal | | | Power of Attorney | £200 | | Guardianship | £125 | | Jury Duty | Free | | Private Consultations/Tests | | | Private Prescription | £20 | | Administration of Private Vaccine (e.g. Flu) | £20 | | Hep B Prescription & Administration of Vaccination Course | £150 |
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Old Irvine Road Surgery
Fees for Non-NHS Services
Why Do GP Practices Charge Fees?
It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS. They are self‑employed and they have to cover their costs in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work, fees are chargeable by GPs.
What Is Covered By The NHS & What Is Not?
The Government 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 GPs 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:
- Letters of support
- Accident or sickness certificates for insurance purposes.
- School fee and holiday insurance certificates.
- Reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise.
- HGV Medicals.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:
- Life insurance 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 or employers.
Do GPs Have To Do Non-NHS Work For 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.
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.
I Only Need The GP's Signature - What Is The Problem?
When a GP 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, the GP might have to check the patient's entire medical record.
What Will I Be Charged?
A list of fees for non-NHS Services is displayed on our website and at Reception.
What Can I Do To Help?
- Not all documents need a signature by a GP, for example passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them at the same time to speed up the process.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. Urgent requests may mean that a GP has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more.