Services which are outwith the NHS Contract
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.
Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.
List of Fees
Certificates and Reports
| Private sick certificate | £27.50 |
| Simple certificate of fact | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Private prescription for drugs needed for travelling abroad | £17.00 |
| Holiday vaccination certificate | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Private medical insurance claim forms (PPP, BUPA etc) | £27.50 |
| School fees insurance claims form | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Sickness/accident benefit claim form | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Fit to travel/fit for holiday certificate | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Freedom from infection certificate | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Holiday cancellation insurance certificate | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Seat belt exemption certificate | £27.50 |
| Employer’s report and opinion (no examination) | £27.50 exc.VAT/£33 inc.VAT (VAT may be applicable) |
| Practice stamp added to any non NHS document | £33 (£27.50 + VAT) |
| Solicitors’ report (provided within 28 days) | £72 – £144 (£60-£120 + VAT) |
| Solicitors’ reports (if required at short notice) | £144 – £288 (depending on time) (£120-240 + VAT) |
| Power of Attorney | £144 (£120 + VAT) |
| Power of Attorney Home visit | £216 (£180 + VAT) |
| Firearms medical process | £60 – £120 (depending on time) (£50-£100 +VAT) |
Medical Examinations
| Short Medicals | £60 ex VAT/£72 inc VAT (VAT may be applicable) |
| Ofsted medicals | £144 (£120 + VAT) |
| Taxi driver examinations | £72 (£60 + VAT) |
| Fitness to travel | £72 (£60 + VAT) |
| Fitness to attend educational institute | £72 (£60 + VAT) |
| Sports medicals eg diving, racing driver | £72 – £144 (depending on time) (£60-£120 + VAT) |
| Longer medicals | £120 exc VAT/£144inc VAT (VAT may be applicable) |
| Pre-employment medical | £72 – £144 (depending on time) (£60-£120 + VAT) |
| HGV/PSV medical | £144 (£120 + VAT) minimum (depending on time) |
| Third party medicals | £72 – £144 (£60 – £120 +VAT) |
| Adoptions and fostering (form AH) | £144 (£120 + VAT) |
| Adoption and fostering update form (AH2) | £72 (£60 + VAT) |
The above charges are for reports/forms collected from the surgery. If there is a requirement to email or fax a report there will be an additional charge of £5.
Consultations
Under NHS contract regulations from 1.4.19 we are no longer able to offer private consultations.
VAT
VAT is not chargeable where a service directly “protects, maintains or restores” the health of an individual.
If a service enables an individual to undertake an activity or facilitates a third party to make a decision VAT is chargeable. VAT is currently charged at 20%. Our VAT Registration number is 851 4335 38
Your questions answered
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: 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.
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 to do non-medical work 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.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
- accident/sickness insurance certificates
- certain travel vaccinations
- private medical insurance reports
- statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
- Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
- Holiday cancellation claim forms
- Referral for private care forms
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
- examinations of occupational health
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 can I do to help?
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight
Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following:
- Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
- Insurance Claim Forms
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
- Private Sick Notes
- Vaccination Certificates
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.