Services which are outwith the NHS Contract
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.
Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.
List of chargeable Fees
| Type | Who pays? | How much? |
| Child | ||
| Completion of Childminder Health Form | Patient/Employer | £87.50 |
| Fitness to Work Examination – Child | Parent | £38.00 |
| If 2nd Examination within 12 months | Parent | £23.00 |
| Driving | ||
| New driving license form and photograph | Due to recent changes GPs can no longer complete these forms | |
| Taxi Driver Fitness Exam and Report | Patient | £175.00 |
| PCV/HGV Fitness Exam and Report | Patient | £175.00 |
| Seat Belt Exemption | Patient | £25 |
| Employment | ||
| Full Medical and Report (for a private company) | Patient/Employer | £175.00 |
| Report only – no examination (for a private company) | Patient/Employer | Usual range £60-£110 (dependent on complexity) |
| Supplementary Report | Patient/Employer | £30 |
| Police occupational health form | Patient/Employer | £30 |
| Annual DLA form | Patient | From £30 |
| Incapacity letter | Patient | £30 |
| Private Appointments | ||
| Private GP appointment | Patient | £130 per hour |
| Private home visit | Patient | £185 per hour |
| Insurance | ||
| Medical Sickness Report | Patient | £30 to £60 |
| Holiday Cancellation | Patient | £30 to £60 |
| Private Patient Fees | ||
| Private Certificate (Sick Note) | Patient | £20 |
| Consultation in the Surgery | Patient | £130 per hour |
| Home Visit | Patient | £185 per hour |
| Sports | ||
| Fitness exam/Certificate for a regulatory body | Patient | £50.00 |
| Fitness statement only | Patient | £32.00 |
| Supporting Letters | ||
| Standard Letter (i.e. housing support, gym membership) | Patient | £30 |
| Standard Letter including a medical statement of fact | Patient | £30 |
| Travel | ||
| Passport | Due to recent changes GPs can no longer complete these forms | |
| International Certificate of Vaccination | Patient | £16 |
| Fitness to Travel Certificate/Examination | Patient | £30 |
| Holiday Cancellation – Certificate only | Patient | Start at £30 |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| OFSTED Report | Patient | £88 |
| Firearms Application | Patient | £30 |
| School letter | Patient | £30 |
| Request to view records with supervision | Patient | £50 |
Your questions answered
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: 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.
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 to do non-medical work 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 GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
- accident/sickness insurance certificates
- certain travel vaccinations
- private medical insurance reports
- statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
- Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
- Holiday cancellation claim forms
- Referral for private care forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- medical reports for an insurance company
- some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
- examinations of occupational health
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 can I do to help?
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight
Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following:
- Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
- Insurance Claim Forms
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
- Private Sick Notes
- Vaccination Certificates
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.