< Back to policies & procedures

Non NHS Private Fees
Service Life Insurance Form (Dependant on complexity) Fee £90-£280
Service Holiday Cancellation Form Fee £45
Service Private letter (To whom it may concern) Fee £45
Service Private sick note report Fee £45 + (depending on length of report)
Service Private sick note - statement of fact Fee £18
Service Private prescription Fee £17
Service Report on Proforma Fee £90
Service Report (without examination) 30 minutes Fee £140
Service Extract from records Fee £70+
Service Solicitors report (per hour) Fee £280
Service Civil court report (per hour) Fee £280
Service Power of Attorney documentation Fee £140
Service GDPR full access to medical records (per request) Fee Free
Service Urgent request supplement (in addition to any of the above fees) Fee £45
Medical Driving Medical report (30min) Fee £140
Medical Adoption/Fostering medical Fee £200
Medical Private medical including a report depending on how long it will estimate to take Fee £280+

Highly complex or high-risk reports may cost in excess of this amount depending on exactly what work is required.

Please note we do not certify patients fit to perform activities even if they are for charities e.g. we cannot and will not certify anyone fit to participate in high risk activities that may require a specialised assessment e.g. a marathon or ultra-marathon, sky dive, long trek etc. These are activities that require complex medical assessments that need to be carried out by a specialist e.g. in Sports medicine. We are more than happy to provide statements of facts or a summary of notes, but we do not have the required equipment and expertise to properly and safely assess anyone to participate in these activities.

 

DVLA

This does not include HGV assessments which are payable directly to us by the applicant at the time of booking the medical assessment.

We are often asked to perform assessments or provide information or opinions to the DVLA about a patient's ability to drive.

This is sometimes complex work and carries a high penalty if we provide inaccurate or incorrect information. As such it is subject to our standard fee framework as found below, and it is for the DVLA to pay us directly before the work is started. Occasionally this creates a delay from the DVLA whilst they arrange appropriate payment.

Please contact them directly about the reason for the delay if you have not heard anything and we have confirmed to you that we have sent them our invoice but have not received payment as yet.

 

Charitable activities:

Whilst we fully support and encourage charitable activities especially if they promote the health and wellbeing of our patients, due to excessive demand and often complex medico legal risk that we would be taking on, we cannot give discounts on our fees for reports or certificates. This is in order to treat everyone fairly. The partners and staff all contribute heavily to our own chosen charities, but we have decided that in order to not discriminate against anyone, we will treat all requests the same and charge accordingly.

Our priority at Steyning Medical Practice will always, first and foremost be our NHS patients and contractual responsibilities that we must fulfil to look after everyone. Therefore, in times of high demand, some of the above work may take some time to complete. We aim to complete most routine reports within 2 weeks. You may need to wait longer than this if you need to book a medical assessment. If you need a report more urgently than this and we have the capacity to do it in the time frame required, then there will be a £45 surcharge.

All fees are to be paid prior to any work being done and are non-refundable.

Only in exceptional circumstances will we consider waiving our fees and is up to the discretion of the GP involved. We aim to treat everyone fairly and equally whatever the circumstances but will make the very occasional exception.

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees? Yours questions answered in our FAQ.

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most health care to most people 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. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example, dental fees; in other cases, it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, 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.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. 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 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.

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of local authority employees
  • DS 1500 Form (Disability Living/Attendance Allowance)

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 a GP’s 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 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 will I be charged?

The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees which many doctors use. Surgeries often have lists of fees on the waiting room wall based on these suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need 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.
  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once as a (job lot) at a reduced price.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You should expect the form(s) to take up to 4 weeks for the GP to complete and return