Patients should be aware that fees will be charged for services not covered by the NHS e.g.

• Private certificates
• Reports supporting private health insurance claims       
• Holiday cancellation reports
• Medical examinations
• HGV and PSV licences
• Private letters
• Non Nhs reports 
• Fire Arms Certificate 
• Adoption and Fostering forms 

If you require a medical examination, the completion of any medical insurance work or any of the above mentioned etc, please ask at reception, it is not appropriate to present the doctor with this during a normal consultation.

NHS work is our priority therefore there could be a delay of up to 28 days for this service. If the matter is more complex, there could be a longer wait. 

Fee List (May 24 – Apr 2025)

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The NHS provides most health care to most people free of charge but there are exceptions.  Prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are several other services for which fees are charged.  Sometimes the charge covers some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees.  In other cases, it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, such as medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely, the doctor is being paid anyway?

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 covers these costs for 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 GP’s covers medical services to NHS patients.  In recent years more organisations have been involving doctors in a range of non-medical work.  Sometimes the only reason the 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.

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

• Accident / Sickness insurance certificates
• Certain travel vaccinations
• Private medical insurance reports

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

• Medical Reports for an Insurance Company
• Some reports for DSS / Benefits Agency
• Examinations of local authority employees

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 the GP’s NHS contract.  However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the suggested rate.

Why does it sometimes take the GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of patients.  Most GP’s have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time.  Many GP’s find they have to take paperwork home at night and weekends.

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.  In order to complete even the simplest for 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.

What will I be charged?

The BMA recommend that a GP tells patients in advance if and how much they will be charged.  It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge but the BMA produces a list of suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

Not all documents need a signature from a doctor, certain applications can be signed by another person in a position of trust i.e. Pharmacist. 

If you have several documents requiring completion, present them all at once.

Please do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. For all non-NHS work please note we have 28 days in which to complete such requests.