Private Fees and Charges

    Why do GP’s charge fees?

Your questions answered

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 isn’t covered by the NHS, for example, medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records.

It is important to understand that GP’s 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 pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The government’s contract with GP’s 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 GP’s 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

Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge their patients

  • Certain travel vaccinations
  • Private medical insurance reports
  • Holiday cancellation forms
  • Referral for private care forms
  • Letters requested by or on behalf of, the patient
  • In certain instances fitness to work forms

Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge other institutions are?

  • Medical reports for an insurance company
  • Some reports for the DSS/Benefits agency
  • Examinations of 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. Most GP’s have a very heavy workload- the majority of GP’s work up to 60 hours a week and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time.

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. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police

 See Private Fees Schedule for Charges.

Private Fees Schedule

JOHNSON MEDICAL PRACTICE

 

Fees for services not provided under the NHS

 

The services shown are not provided under the National Health Service contract and the following fees will be charged. If you have any questions relating to these fees, please address them to your Doctor or the Practice Manager before requesting the service.

 

GENERAL

 

 

Private Prescription

 

£15.00

Private Sick Note

 

£25.00

Private Insurance Claim Forms

 

£55.00

To Whom It May Concern Letter (private letter)

 

£35.00

Child Minding Form –

  • Ofsted Health Declaration (SCC/Local Authority)
  • Other Not Complex

 

 £120.00

£41.00

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

 

Employment, Pre-Employment Medical and Report

 

£165.00

Employment, Pre-Employment Report (No Examination)

 

£99.00

INSURANCE

 

 

Medical Insurance Certificate (e.g. BUPA, PPA, PPP)

 

£35.00

Medical Insurance Report or extract from Medical Records

£55.00

Medical Assessment Reports (Fee fixed by Insurance company £ 89.00)

 

 

Medical Assessment Report & Medical Examination

 

£165.00

Medical Assessment Report without Medical Examination

 

£140.00

DRIVING

 

 

Medical and Report (e.g. Elderly, HGV, PSV and Taxi)

 

£135.00

Driver Insurance Form – with Medical (e.g taxi renewal)

 

£135.00

Driver Insurance Form – without Medical

 

£55.00

SPORT

 

 

Fitness for Gym

 

£30.00

Sports report detailed

 

£50.00

Sports Medical

 

£99.00

 

 

TRAVEL

 

 

Private Prescription ( Travel )

 

£15.00

Fitness to Travel

 

£30.00

Fitness to Travel Statement with Medical

 

£150.00

Cancellation of Holiday Claim Form

 

£50.00

Certificates

  • Incapacity
  • Private Sick Note
  • Other (Short/Simple)

 

 

£25.00

£25.00

£25.00

Temporary Residents Not Eligible for NHS treatment

 

 

Private Consultation (20 minutes)

 

£60.00

Private Prescription£15.00

 



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