It is important to understand that many GP’s 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 businesses.
The Government’s contract with GP’s 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 GP’s 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.
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 so.
The British Medical Association have suggested fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (i.e work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees suggested by the BMA are for guidance only; they are not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.
Private work is not a clinical priority and will be undertaken when the doctor has time. Therefore please allow sufficient time for completion of any private work.
Please give us as much notice as you can of your requirement for a medical examination or report and ensure that you bring in any relevant documentation into the surgery for completion or with you to your appointment should you require an examination.
Private work which is not covered by the NHS contract includes:
- private certificates
- reports supporting private health insurance claims
- other non-NHS medical reports.
Fees may also be charged for other special purposes such as:
- HGV and PSV licences
- elderly driver’s fitness to drive
- fitness to travel etc
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