For the attention of Amber / Kim

Payments to be made via BACS

Account name: Witterings Medical Centre

Account number: 97720119

Sort code: 60-05-24

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of on-going 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 information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their own NHS patients:

• accident or sickness certificates for insurance purposes
• school fee and holiday cancellation insurance certificates
• reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
• medical reports for recreational activities (eg motor racing or aviation forms)

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

• life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
• medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering

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.

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.

What will I be charged?
There is a list of fees in the above link.

In order to reduce the amount of time wasted by doctors when patients refuse to pay for the work that has been completed, we require payment in advance of any work undertaken.

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. 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.