Why do GPs charge fees?
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, claim forms for referral for private care and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records.
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS. They are self-employed, and they have to cover their own costs such as staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc., in the same way as any other small business. The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs. Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are: • Private prescriptions
• Private sick notes (if requested for the first 7 days when patients can self-certificate)
• 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
• Some travel vaccinations
• Private medical insurance reports
• Holiday cancellation claim forms
• Referral for private care forms
• Other letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- Medical reports for an insurance company
- Some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency/DVLA
- Examinations of local authority employees and the Police
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her registered patients. GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time.
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. Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s medical record carefully. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police.
The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual practice to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees for the Doctors to use as a guideline.
Manor Practice has a guide to private fees available at reception, and they are also listed below. You will be asked to pay the fee in cash (exact money please) and you will not be given the document or provided with the appointment for a medical examination until the payment has been made.
Not all documents need signature by a doctor. For example, you could ask another person in a position of trust, who may be willing to sign a passport application or other similar document free of charge, e.g. bank manager, teacher, accountant.
Please do not expect your GP to process forms overnight, urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more or may even be declined. We normally say you should allow at least 6 weeks for the processing of such forms and you will be advised when they are ready for collection.
| MANOR PRACTICE PRIVATE FEES UPDATED 1.5.24 | |
| ACCESS TO RECORDS/SUBJECT ACCESS REQUEST (SAR – now undertaken via iGPR) | |
| Computerised records | Nil |
| Manual records or a combination of both | Nil |
| Targeted SAR | Nil (unless requesting same info in the last 12 months) |
| CERTIFICATES, FORMS & LETTERS | |
| Letter of Fact/simple letter (usually 1 page ) There will be a £20.00 surcharge added to the above if the letter is required within 72hrs and then only subject to availability as approved by the GP | £50 + £10 per additional page |
| To whom it may concern letters incl school letters (usually 1 page) There will be a £20.00 surcharge added to the above if the letter is required within 72hrs and then only subject to availability as approved by the GP | £50 + £10 per additional page |
| Private sick note | £80 |
| Passport forms | Not provided |
| Housing forms | Not provided |
| Private prescription | £40 |
| International certificate of vaccination | £60 |
| Fitness to travel / fly certificate – all situations including pregnancy | £80 |
| Fitness to attend School, Uni, Exam etc Local Authority, Patient or Insurance | £120 |
| Fitness to exercise gym or sponsored event | £80 |
| Mental Capacity Assessments | £150 |
| Shotgun licence certificate – complete template in record | £70 |
| OFSTED medical form | £70 |
| REPORTS & MEDICALS | |
| Adoption / Fostering report only Form IHA – Initial Health Assessment Form AH Form AH2 | £100 £58 £73.86 £24.36 |
| Insurance applications | £120 |
| Private medical insurance claim – travel, events etc | £80 |
| Fitness to drive | £70 |
| School fees insurance claim | £80 |
| Holiday cancellation claim | £80 |
| Sickness/accident claim: Report -Extract from records Report and examination | £75 £150 |
| Sickness/accident report for employers (short report no examination) | £100 |
| Power of Attorney / Court of Protection | £165 |
| Solicitors report: Short report – up to 3 pages Long report – 4+ pages | £120 £200 |
| TFL/DVLA – driving report (no examination, eg diabetes) TFL/DVLA – driving report with medical | £80 £120 |
| DWP Report (Disability Living Allowance/PIP) | £33.50 set by DWP |
| Army medical | £90 |
| Childminding medical with report | £90 |
| Adoption/fostering medical with report | £175 |
| Pre-employment – report only (NHS/police/local authority) Pre-employment medical & report (45 mins) | £40 £175 |
| Medical examination & report for other bodies incl insurance | £200 |
| PCV/LGV (local authority) | £130 |
| PCV/LGV/HGV (driver to pay) | £130 |
| London Taxi and Private Hire Taxi medical | £130 |
| Elderly driver fitness & certificate | £100 |
| Sports medical & statement | £80 |
| Fitness to attend school examinations | £80 |
| Seat belt exemption examination | £110 |
| OTHER ITEMS | |
| Print out of notes – these are now available under a SAR Charges can only be made for subsequent requests for the same info within 12 months and unreasonable requests | SAR – No charge for first request £50 minimum |
| Private consultation | £90 |
| Private visit | £150 |
| Sample taking + associated admin | £100 |
| Blue Badge | £75 |
| Council tax exemption | Nil |
| Cremation (via funeral director) | £82 |