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Non-NHS Services

Private (Non-NHS) Services and Fees

The NHS contract covers medical care and treatment provided to registered patients. However, GPs are sometimes asked to complete additional work that falls outside NHS-funded services.

In many cases, requests are made because GPs are trusted professionals within the community, or because employers, insurers, or other organisations require medical information to be verified by a doctor.

Services for Patients (Fees Apply)

GPs may charge registered patients for services that are not covered by the NHS, including:

Medical certificates for accident or sickness claims for insurance purposes
Fitness-to-exercise reports for gyms or health clubs
Pre-employment medical assessments requested by employers

Services for External Organisations (Fees Apply)

GPs may also provide medical information to third parties, for which a fee is charged. Examples include:

Medical reports for life assurance or income protection applications
Reports requested by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as for disability-related benefits
Medical assessments or reports for local authorities relating to adoption or fostering

GPs are not generally required to carry out non-NHS work for patients.

GPs are not generally required to carry out non-NHS work for patients. There are limited exceptions, such as providing confirmation that a patient is medically unfit for jury service. While doctors will try to assist where possible, completion of forms and reports is not part of their NHS duties.

If you require any non-NHS documentation, please contact the practice in advance. Separate appointments must be arranged for this type of request, and fees will apply. We kindly ask that routine GP appointments are not used for private paperwork to avoid delays for other patients.

Charges

There is no charge for referral letters to independent or private healthcare providers.
If your private insurer requires a specific claim form to be completed, an additional fee will apply (please refer to our insurance claim form fee schedule).

Process

Submit your request via a triage form, email, or in person at any of our receptions
A doctor will review your request. If they are happy to complete the request our dedicated Practice Administration team will call you to arrange payment, give you a turn around time or expected date and then a call or appointment will be booked to complete your request.

Turn Around Time

We will make every effort to accommodate your requested turnaround time wherever possible.
If we are unable to complete the form within the timeframe you require, we will inform you promptly and advise you accordingly.

Fees

Fees are charged for the services listed below. This is because they are not part of the NHS health care service we provide. In most cases we require prior payment.

Certificates

To whom it may concern (TWIMC) letter £30.00
Fitness to travel certificate £30.00
Written confirmation of registration £30.00
Housing letter £30.00
Private sickness certificate £30.00
Holiday cancellation £30.00

Claims/reports

Medical insurance/travel insurance/school – no examination £35.00
Sickness/accident insurance claim form £35.00
Provident association claim form (BUPA/PPP/AXA) £35.00
Employer’s report & opinion (not paid for by employer) £70.00
Employer’s report & opinion without examination £70.00
Pre-employment medical questionnaire form £70.00

Medical examinations

HGV/LGV/PCV/elderly driver, written report (20 mins) £150.00
Sports medical with report eg. diving £150.00
Pre-employment medical examination with report £150.00

Adoption/fostering

Adoption medical (30mins) £80.00
Fostering forms – adult health £80.00
Form AH – health assessment on a prospective carer £75.00
Form AH2 £30.00
Ill abroad form £125.00

Assessment of capacity – POA

Report/form – without home visit £100.00
Report/form – with home visit £200.00

Vaccinations

Hepatitis B per vaccine (may need 3) travel not occupational health £50.00 per dose
Meningitis ACWY £55.00

Frequently asked questions

Read our FAQs about non-NHS and private services.

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

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