Why do GPs charge a fee?
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, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records.
It is important to understand that GP’s are not employed by the NHS, they are self employed and they have to cover their cost – staff, heating, lighting etc., in the same way as many small businesses. The NHS pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for the non-NHS work, the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs.
Examples of work that incurs a fee:
- insurance reports
- letters from the doctor
- taxi forms
- holiday cancellation
- private sick notes
- letters for employers/schools
- letters for PIP/benefit appeals
- copies of medical records
Processing of non-NHS Work
We need any request for non-NHS work in writing. Once your request is received and paid for it will be passed on to the doctor for completion. If the request has come from a third party, such as an insurance company, we will invoice them directly. We will ask for your written consent, unless there is no legal obligation to do so. We operate a pay in advance system and work will not commence until the invoice is paid.
Priority must be given to the immediate care of patients, which offered with the NHS activities. Due the increasing demand on our doctors, please allow at least 4 weeks from time of payment for the work to be completed.
If your request is for a medical exam, you will be contacted directly with an appointment time and date.
Fees for 2023 to 2024
All payments due from patients to be charged and paid before commencement of work.
- Private Letters, non NHS requests, e.g. Gym/Immigration/PIP etc from: £42.00
- Alterations to letters, first amendment: Free then £10.00
- Private Sick Note: £19.80
- Test results for medical treatment (with GP authorisation): No charge
- Permission for Medical Equipment required to travel e.g. Insulin/needles: No charge
Other General Fees
- Accident/Insurance Certificate/ Holiday cancellation certificate: £75
- Medical insurance (e.g. BUPA) Claim form or extract from medical records: £85
- Synexus Report: £100.00
- LPA/COP: £200 (No Visit) £300 (With Visit)
- Council Tax/DLA: No charge
- ESA/UC113: No charge
- Occupation Health Report: £100
Reports no examination
- Private/ Employer Report (factual report on record extract, no examination) – 15 mins: £83.50
- Private/Employer’s report without examination, opinion – 30 mins: £150
- Report for Insurance Applications: £130
- Supplementary reports for insurance: £50
- Report for DWP/ CAPITA/ PIP re Benefits: £33.50
- Solicitors report: £195.00 per hr
- Solicitors report on ½ hour: £110.00
- DS1500: £20.40
- The Army: £78.00
- DVLA: £48.00
- Coroner requesting extract from note (copies): No charge
- Coroner Report: No charge
- Cremation form Part 1: £82.00
- Cremation form Part 2: £82.00
Reports with Medical Examinations
- DVLA requests: £102.00
- Full Medical and Report HGV/PSV/Driving: £150.00
- Full medical for pilots license: £156.00
- Insurance company full medical examination: £156.00
- Lasting power of Attorney/Court of Protection with examination Home Visit: £271.00
- Lasting Power of Attorney/Court of protection with examination in practice: £156.00
- Local Authority Medical Report with Examination: £130.00
- Private/Employer’s report with examination: £92.00
- Taxi Form: £75
Other Authority
- Adoption Medical Form AH Adult Health: £165
- Adoption short Form AH2 Adult Health Update: £50
- OFSTED Report, no examination: £100.00
QEH Biochemistry Business Unit – Jane Dipper, direct line 0121 371 5955 or QEH number 0121 627 2000 will tell you what they charge for various tests, (blood, urine).
- Certificates and Report for fitness for sports, seat belt exemption, fit to drive – short report, no examination: £70
- Comprehensive examination and reports inc opinion and prognosis: £165.00
- Appointment with HCA for DNA mouth swab: £35.00