Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

  • Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements 
  • Insurance claim forms
  • Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
  • Private sick notes
  • Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales; 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PRACTICE DOES NOT SIGN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS.  OTHER DOCUMENTS I.E. VISA APPLICATIONS, MAY BE SIGNED BUT WILL NEED TO BE CHECKED BY THE PRACTICE IN ADVANCE.

All applications for the Practice to undertake a non NHS service will not be undertaken in a normal NHS appointment.  Please see reception for further information.

 * Please check the fee with the surgery before proceeding

Why do GP's charge fee's ?

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 tocover 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.

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

  • Certain travel vaccinations

  • Private medical insurance reports

Examples of non-NHS services for which a GP can charge other institutions are:

  • Medical reports for an insurance company

  • Some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency

I only need a doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a doctor signs a medical 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. The surgery will have a list of fees either in the waiting room, or available on the website.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need signature by a doctor. For example, you could ask another person in a position of trust, who may be willing to sign a passport application free of charge.

  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask the receptionist/GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once as a ‘job lot’ at a reduced price

  • Do not expect the GP to process forms overnight; urgent requests may mean that the doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more.

GP Surgery Policy on Private Work Involving Vicarious Liability

Purpose:

 

This policy outlines the types of private work that our GP surgery will not undertake, particularly where there is a risk of vicarious liability. The primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of both our patients and the healthcare professionals, while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care within the scope of our NHS services.

 

Scope:

 

This policy applies to all patients registered at our GP surgery and covers private work requests that may expose the practice or its clinicians to vicarious liability.

 

Policy Statement:

 

Our GP surgery is committed to providing high-quality care within the scope of NHS services. However, we do not undertake private work that may involve specialist assessments or activities which present a significant risk of vicarious liability. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Fitness to fly assessments

Clearance for high-risk sports (e.g., mountaineering, skydiving, paragliding)

Certification for participation in sporting events (e.g., marathons, triathlons)

Diving medicals (beyond statements of fact) or fitness to dive

Medical certifications for extreme sports or adventure travel or for performance

 

Rationale:

 

These types of private work often require specialist knowledge and expertise that fall outside the general practice remit. Moreover, issuing certifications for such activities may expose the GP surgery to potential legal risks, including vicarious liability, if an adverse event occurs.

 

Our GPs are trained to provide general medical services and support within the NHS framework. Specialist assessments should be undertaken by professionals with specific expertise in those fields, and we encourage patients to seek advice from appropriately qualified clinicians or agencies for such requests.

 

What We Do Offer:

 

Our GP surgery continues to offer a wide range of services under the NHS, including general health advice, chronic disease management, routine medical checks, and referrals to specialist services where appropriate.

 

Alternative Options:

 

For private work not covered under this policy, patients are advised to seek independent medical assessments from specialists in the relevant field. These might include: Occupational health specialists, Sports physicians, Aviation or diving medical examiners, Travel medicine clinics

 

Conclusion:

 

This policy is in place to safeguard both our patients and the surgery from the legal risks associated with vicarious liability. We are happy to support our patients in accessing the appropriate services for their private health needs through appropriate referrals or guidance.

 

If you have any further questions or require clarification regarding this policy, please contact our practice manager.