Non-NHS Fees

What is non-NHS work and why is there a fee?

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. When requesting Non NHS letters or asking to fill in a form you will be asked to pay a fee. Sometimes the charge is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies, solicitors or employers. The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients but not non-NHS work. It is important to understand that many 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. In recent years, however, 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 ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge are:

  • Accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes
  • Private prescriptions for travel purposes
  • Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
  • Certain medical reports for local authorities eg. adoption and fostering reports
  • Reports for solicitors, life assurance or income protection

Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?

With certain limited exceptions, for example a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.

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 and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. Our GPs regularly do non-NHS work out of hours including at evenings or weekends so that NHS patient care does not suffer.

I only need the doctor’s signature, why is this chargeable?

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 (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the police. If you are a new patient we may not have your medical records so the doctor must wait for these before completing the form.

What will I be charged?

We will tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the fee will be; our charges for non-NHS work are outlined below.

What can I do to help?

  • 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. Read the information that comes with these types of forms carefully before requesting your GP to complete them.
  • 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 at the same time to speed up the process.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight; urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may cost more. Usually non-NHS work will take up to 28 days.

Our fees

Letters, Reports and Forms

  • Standard Letter - eg To Whom It May Concern - £35
  • Straightforward certificates of fact/signature only claim forms - £30
  • Private sick note - £35
  • Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) forms - £25
  • Preferential Accommodation letters - £25
  • University letters – accommodation/parking/tutor - £30
  • University letters - extenuating circumstances (ECs) - £20
  • Ofsted Reports - £60
  • Medical form - signature only - £28
  • Early Retirement Form - £40
  • GP report or short claim form - no examination - £60
  • Letter providing further clarification to original report - £50
  • GP report or long claim form - with examination - £130
  • Firearms certificate - £100
  • Vaccination certificate - £20
  • Holiday insurance certificate - £50
  • Report for employers (no examination) - £80

Private consultation fees

  • Private patient consultation & private prescription - £100
  • Private prescription for travel (e.g. Malaria tablets) - £30

Medical reports with examination

  • Standard reports (incl HGV/LGV/PSV/PCV) - £100 (excl eye tests)
  • Camp America – £110
  • Pre-Employment Medical - £130
  • Adoption/ Foster Medical - £160 (per applicant)
  • Taxi Medical - £120
  • Army Report - £60/£65 (on form)
  • Police Report (normal police/special police) - £50/60

Medical records (excl Subject Access Requests)

  • Company request for medical records (unless under SARS) - £60