Why do GPs charge fees? Your questions answered
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, for example prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are several 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.
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 must cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee must 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.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge are:
- Certain travel vaccinations
- Private medical insurance reports
- Holiday cancellation claim forms
- Referral for private care forms
- 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
- Examinations for local authority employees
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/her patients. GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time.
I only need a 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. Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs 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?
- Not all documents need to be signed by a doctor, for example, passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.
- Don’t make appointments to request forms or letters. Such requests can be made to the receptionists.
- Don’t ask for reports or letters that are not required. We are advised by many organisations, for example, housing, schools and probation, that letters are not required. If these organisations do need information from your medical record, you can request a summary printout which is free of charge.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor must make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may cost more.
Fees for Non NHS work conducted by Urban Village Medical Practice
Payment is by BACS transfer and must be received before any work is carried out. If you will have difficulty with an electronic payment, please ask to speak to a member of the secretarial team.
Our time frame for completing any private work is 30 days.
Access to medical reports act request £50
Adoption – Form IHA (Initial health assessment, looked after child) £58.12
Adoption – Form M, B (Obstetric neonatal reports) £44.95
Adoption – C D YP, or AME (Full examination of child) £97.97
Adoption – AH (Health assessment, prospective carer) £73.86
Adoption – AH2 (Update report parent/ carer) £24.36
Army recruitment forms £65
Blue badge £25
CICA reports (criminal injuries compensation report) £50
Completion of medical history questionnaire £40-60
Cremation form (Part 2) £82
Elderly drivers fitness certificate £110
Fitness to attend university/ sports/ gym – letter £30
Fitness to attend university/ sports/ gym – full medical £130
Fitness to travel/ fly or note of medical condition to travel agent £40
Fostering exam and report £73.86
Holiday cancellation form – Simple £30
Holiday cancellation form – complex £60
Medical examination – employment (including report) £130
Medical examination – hackney/taxi licence/ DVLA requested examination £130
Medical examination for HGV licence £130
Medical questionnaire (e.g., for work) £60
Medical questionnaire – DVLA (per section – paid for by the DVLA) £40
Medical report (no exam) £110
OFSTED report for childminders £65
Other certifications/ licences (eg shotgun, diving) £40-60
Other medical examination £130
Power of attorney £80
Private insurance form – Organisational request (E.g., life insurance) £130
Private insurance form – Organisational request for further information £50
Private health form – patient request (E.g., Mortgage) £60-80
Private sick notes £25
Private letter (range) £30-50
Seatbelt exemption form £50
Witness statements £100