Non NHS Private Fees

Some of the services we provide are not covered by the NHS contract. We class this as private work. Our GPs complete this in their own time and make a professional fee for this service - charges are as set out below. If not listed, please enquire and we can consider on a case-by-case basis.

Most of the time, the GPs can only provide statements of fact. Statements of opinion must be agreed by the specific GP on a case-by-case basis, depending on their individual expertise / indemnity. As such, GPs reserve the right to decline to provide a private medical opinion as this is not NHS work.

Due to NHS service pressures, the practice aims to complete any private requests within 60 days of receipt of payment. However, please note there may be a delay when there are a high number of requests, or, if a doctor is absent from the practice.

Downend Health Group sometimes use a processor, iGPR Technologies Limited (“iGPR”), to assist with responding to report requests relating to your patient data. These are requests that insurers submit to us under the Access to Medical Records Act 1988 in relation to a life insurance policy that you hold, or that you are applying for. We also use this service for other private work relating to your patient data such as pre- treatment private questionnaires and request for medical records.

iGPR Technologies Limited manage the reporting process for us by reviewing and responding to such requests in accordance with our instructions and all applicable laws, including UK data protection laws.

The instructions we issue to iGPR include general instructions on responding to requests and specific instructions on issues that will require further consultation with the GP responsible for your care.

Letters

  • GP Letter (letters of fact): £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc VAT)

Insurance Medicals

  • Report only (without a medical examination): £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • Additional supporting questionnaires: £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc (VAT)

Medical Reports

  • Electronic report (without a medical examination): £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • Private insurance Pre-treatment questionnaire: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • Additional supporting questionnaires: £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc VAT)
  • Employer/Occupational Health questionnaire (Statement of fact only): £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)

Adoption/Fostering/Childcare

  • Initial health assessment (IHA Form) with medical examination: £140.00 (VAT exempt)
  • Prospective Carer health assessment (Form AH) with medical examination: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • Parent/Carer update report (Form AH2): £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc VAT)
  • Childminder/Ofsted Health Declaration: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)

General Certificates And Forms

  • Private sick note: £36.00 (VAT exempt)
  • Private prescription: £36.00 (VAT exempt)
  • Applications for shotgun certificates: £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc VAT)

Driving

  • HGV, PSV, PCV, LGV Report with medical examination: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • Taxi licence Report with medical examination: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)
  • DVLA request Report with medical examination: £116.67 (excl VAT) | £140.00 (inc VAT)

Foreign Travel

  • Travel insurance claim form: £30.00 (excl VAT) | £36.00 (inc VAT)
  • Prescription medication letter: £36.00 (VAT exempt)

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees? Yours questions answered in our FAQ.

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. 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, medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed, and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, 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 be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of local authority employees
  • DS 1500 Form (Disability Living/Attendance Allowance)

Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?

The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.

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 – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – 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 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 or even the Police.

What will I be charged?

The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees which many doctors use. Surgeries often have lists of fees on the waiting room wall based on these suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need signature by a doctor, 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 all at once as a (job lot) at a reduced price.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You should expect the form(s) to take up to 4 weeks for the GP to complete and return