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Non NHS Private Fees
Charges
Payment to Elmham Surgery must be made before we can release any Certificates of Reports
- We only accept Card payments
- Most of the services offered by the surgery are free under the NHS. The list of fees is an example of non NHS services.
- We do not have the specialist knowledge required to perform some sports medicals and patients are advised to contact their club or organisation where such medicals can be performed.
- Patients are reminded that some certificates and photographs can be countersigned by other professionals who may or may not charge.
| Payable by the Patient | Cost |
|---|---|
| To Whom it May Concern Letter - Brief | £66 including VAT |
| Holiday Cancellation | £96 including VAT |
| HGV - Full Medical | £156 including VAT |
| PSV - Full Medical | £156 including VAT |
| Taxi Drivers - Full Medical | £156 including VAT |
| Childminder (OFSTED) - Medical | £156 including VAT |
| Fire Arms Licence - without Medical | £96 including VAT |
| Fire Arms Licence - with Medical | £156 including VAT |
| Fostering & Adoption Form AH - without Medical | £96 including VAT |
| Fostering & Adoption Form AH - with Medical | £156 including VAT |
| Payable by a 3rd Party | Cost |
|---|---|
| Community Car Drivers | No Charge |
| Insurance Co request GP Report - without Medical | £100 No Vat |
| Insurance Co request GP Report - with Medical | £130 No Vat |
| DVLA | Variable |
Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?
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
Why We Are Not Always Able to Undertake Non-NHS Work
We understand that patients sometimes require letters, reports, forms, medical evidence, or other documentation for purposes that fall outside NHS services. Whilst we offer a range of non-NHS services, we are not always able to undertake every request that we receive.
As an NHS GP practice, our primary responsibility is to provide NHS medical care. Clinical appointments, urgent care, routine reviews, prescriptions, and other NHS services must always take priority over non-NHS work.
When a request for non-NHS work is submitted, it is assessed on a case-by-case basis. As part of this assessment, we consider the potential impact that completing the request may have on the patient's health or access to care, alongside the clinical and administrative time required to complete it. We also consider whether the request falls within our expertise and whether undertaking the work would affect our ability to deliver NHS services and clinics.
Many non-NHS requests require a clinician to review medical records, assess the information requested, and complete documentation accurately and appropriately. This work is often time-intensive and can only be undertaken when capacity allows.
We are sometimes asked to provide Occupational Health reports or professional opinions regarding a patient's fitness for travel, work, workplace adjustments, or other employment-related matters. As a GP practice, we do not provide Occupational Health services and are unable to offer Occupational Health opinions. Where appropriate, we can provide factual medical information taken from your medical record. In many cases, a patient summary record may provide the information required and can be provided free of charge.
There are also some requests that we may decline because they fall outside our expertise, require specialist knowledge, or are more appropriately completed by another organisation.
Our aim is always to strike a balance between supporting patients with legitimate non-NHS requests and ensuring that NHS patient care remains our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to deliver safe, timely, and effective care for all our patients.
Thank you for your continued support