Non-NHS Services

The NHS provides most health care free of charge. However, there are a number of other services for which fees can be charged. These are mainly for services not covered by the NHS, such as medical reports for insurance companies.

Doctors are involved in a whole range of non-medical work, largely on the basis that they occupy a position of trust within the community, and are in the position to verify the accuracy of information. If a GP signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a professional duty that s(he) checks the accuracy of such information. This may involve examining the patient’s entire medical record.

The British Medical Association (BMA) suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees.

However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge. The practice reserves the right to refuse any Non-NHS work if we feel it is inappropriate.

Please note:

Not all documents need a signature by a doctor, for example, passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.

For Passport and naturalization applications a GP has to have known the patient or in the case of the child the parents for a certain period of time. The GP has the right to refuse if he/she has not known the patient for the defined period of time or if he/she feels they would not be able to recognize the child from the photograph.

Short certificate of fact: £18

Private sicknote (incapacity certificate): £30 – 63

Accident or sickness insurance certificate: £30 – 63

Ofsted Health Declaration(childminder application): £87.50

HGV/Taxi Medical: £100

Fitness for exercise: £30-63

Holiday cancellation: £30-63

Letter to airline regarding medication: £20

Letter for housing/supporting letters: £10 – 30

Blue badge/Bus pass application: £20

Passport/Licence application: £25

Holiday insurance Certificates: £30 – 63