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Non-NHS Fees Policy

Introduction
This policy outlines the fees associated with non-NHS services provided by GPs. These services are not covered by the NHS and therefore incur a charge.

What is Non-NHS Work?
The National Health Service (NHS) offers most healthcare services free of charge. However, certain services fall outside the scope of NHS coverage, resulting in applicable fees. Examples include:

• Providing copies of health records.
• Producing medical reports for insurance companies, solicitors, or employers.

Why is There a Fee?
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services for NHS patients, but not non-NHS work. Many GPs operate as self-employed practitioners and must cover their operational costs, similar to any small business. Fees for non-NHS services help GPs manage these costs.

Examples of Non-NHS Services

For NHS Patients:

• Accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes.
• School fee and holiday insurance certificates.
• Reports for health clubs certifying patient fitness.
• Private prescriptions for travel purposes.

For Other Institutions:

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies.
• Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) related to disability living allowance and attendance allowance.
• Medical reports for local authorities regarding adoption and fostering.
• Copies of records for solicitors.

GPs' Obligations Regarding Non-NHS Work
GPs are not obligated to perform non-NHS work for their patients, except in specific circumstances, such as confirming a patient's inability to serve on a jury. GPs may assist with form completion but are not required to undertake non-NHS work.

Fee Guidance
The British Medical Association (BMA) provides suggested fees for non-NHS work, which serve as guidance for GPs. These fees are not mandatory, and individual doctors may set their own rates.

Time Considerations
Completing forms and preparing reports requires time away from patient care. GPs typically perform non-NHS work outside NHS hours to ensure patient care is not compromised. Non-NHS work may take up to 28 days to complete.

Signature Requirements
When signing certificates or reports, doctors are required to verify the accuracy of the information, which may involve reviewing the patient's complete medical record. This thoroughness is essential to maintain professional standards and avoid potential repercussions from the General Medical Council or legal authorities.
Note: If you are a new patient, the GP may need to wait for your medical records before completing the form.

Charges and Transparency
Patients will be informed in advance about any fees applicable to non-NHS services. A list of charges based on suggested fees is available upon request at the surgery (via reception or email).

Patient Assistance
Patients can assist by:

• Identifying documents that do not require a doctor's signature, such as passport applications, and seeking alternative signatories.
• Presenting multiple forms simultaneously to expedite processing.
• Understanding that urgent requests may incur additional costs due to special arrangements.

Please review our practice's list of non-NHS services, which includes certificates, forms, medical examinations, all of which attract a fee.
For any questions regarding non-NHS services or fees, please contact the surgery directly.