Private Work (Non NHS work) – Information for patients and third parties

 

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. 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 the information provided to them is true and accurate.

 

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 for example for insurance purposes, 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, so many GPs find they have to complete this work outside of and in addition to their normal hours.  

 

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, 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.

 

What will I be charged?

The BMA (British Medical Association) suggest 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 and third parties in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge.

Private letters or forms may vary from 1 line to several paragraphs, please be advised that you are not paying for the content, but for the time it takes to review your medical records and any action that needs to be taken to complete your request.

 

A list of some of our current fees is provided below:

Some Of The Services We Offer But Not Limited To:	Who Pays	Fee
To Whom It May Concern Letters to support claims such as: housing, school, college, insurance etc	Patient	£40.00
Adoption & Fostering	Normally by parent or sometimes by the agency	States on the form
Firearm/Shotgun Certificate	Patient	£40.00
Holiday Cancellation Form	Patient	£40.00
Private medical examinations HGV, PSV, Taxi, Driving Medicals – (Subject to GP availability) *Patients making appointments for HGV/Taxi medicals need to come into Thursby Surgery to book an appointment - payment has to be made at the time of booking.*	Patient	£100.00

All requests must have an accompanying 'Private Work - Consent and ID Request' form (please see form below), this has to be signed by the patient and photo ID given at the same time.

Except for Private Medical Examinations which have their own consent form provided at the time of booking an appointment. This has to be booked and signed by the patient.

 

We reserve the right to suspend, extend processing times for private/Non NHS work at any time due to busy periods.

 

If you would like to request private work to be completed please see our 'Private Work - Consent and ID Request' which explains the procedure.

 

• Private Work - Consent and ID Request Form