Private (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 (HGV, PSV etc.)
- Sports and driving requirements NO LONGER PROVIDED
- Insurance claim forms
- Passport signing NO LONGER PROVIDED
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
- Private FIT notes
- Vaccination certificates
Why do GP’s Sometimes Charge Fees?
Most of the services offered by the surgery are free under the NHS. Some of the services are not covered and for these your GP, like other professionals, can charge a fee.
The fee will reflect both the doctor’s time to carry out the service and the doctor’s professional opinion. It may also include the cost of nursing or secretarial support, stationary and consumables.
Your questions answered……
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The NHS 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 to cover the doctor’s costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The government’s contract with GPs covered medical services to NHS patients. In recent years more organisations have been involving doctors in a range of non-medical work because they are in a position of trust in the community or because an insurance company wants to be sure the information you are providing them is accurate.
Please see price list below covering most services provided. The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales. Please contact us to arrange an appointment or to discuss anything which is not listed with our reception team.