FAQs
When and why do GPs charge fees?
The NHS provides health care, 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, for example, medical reports for insurance companies.
It is important to understand that GPs are self-employed and offer their services to
the NHS, and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc –
in the same way as any small business.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients
include:
- Accident/sickness insurance certificates
- Certain travel vaccinations
- Private medical insurance reports
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions include:
- Medical reports for an insurance company
- Some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
- Examinations of local authority employees
- Reporting regarding joining the Army
Where do fees come from?
The British Medical Association (BMA) suggests fees for non-NHS work, which is not
covered under a GPS 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 can it take a long time to get a form completed?
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 NHS workload, and
this paperwork is done at times aside for it.
I only need the doctor’s signature – why do I need to wait?
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
patients’ entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have
serious consequences for the doctor.
How can I keep costs down?
- Not all documents need signature by a doctor, for exampled passport
applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such
documents free of charge. - Plan in advance. Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You
should expect the form to take up to 4 weeks to be processed.
How do I pay?
Payment can be made by cash, card or BACs. Prepayment is required for all non-NHS services.
The Fees
Updated 8th August 2024
| Travel: Holiday cancellation form Fitness for Visa | ———- £35 £30 |
| Certificates/Letters without examination: Straight forward letter of fact Fitness to use gym Duplicate sick note Childminder/Ofsted Report (form only) Childminder/Ofsted Report (form and examination) Disability Student Allowance Form | ———- £30 £30 £5 £40 £90 £25 |
| Private insurance forms: Insurance claim form Private referral | ———- £35 £15 |
| Medical Examinations: DVLA (HGV/LGV/PSV/Taxi/Elderly Driver) Sports Firearm/Shotgun Certificate Camp America Army form | ———- £105 £90 £50 £65 £65 |
| Adoption & Fostering: Form 1HA Form M/B Forms C, D, YP, AME Form AH (Requires medical) Form AH2 (Update – no medical required) | ———- £58.12 £44.95 £97.91 £80.47 £26.54 |
| Legal Services: Power of Attorney – medical examination & report (Home visit) Power of Attorney – medical examination & report (Practice visit) Power of Attorney – report Power of Attorney – witness Capacity Assessment – medical examination & report (Home visit) Capacity Assessment – medical examination & report (Practice visit) Capacity Assessment – certificate only | ———- £125 £90 £60 £35 £125 £100 £30 |
| Insurance Report: Full Medical Report Targeted Medical Report Supplementary Medical Report | ———- £145 £145 £27 |