Fees For Private,Non NHS Form,Reports & Certificates

It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS. They are self-employed and they must 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 fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs.

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, however, more and more organizations 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.

The BMA suggests 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 us are intended for guidance only; they are not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates we suggest. The BMA recommends that GP’s tell patients in advance I they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge.

Please note:

• Not all documents need a signature by a doctor
• We do not offer countersigning of passports

The following questions and answers are taken from advice by the British Medical Association (BMA) to help patents understand the fees charged by GP’s

1.      Do GP’s have to do non-NHS work for their patients?

With certain limited exceptions such as a GP confirming that a patient is not fit for jury service GP’s DO NOT have to carry out non-NHS work. Many GP’s however will always attempt to assist their patients and carry out this work.

2.      Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.

3.      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 for the doctor with the General Medical Council (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.

4.      Who sets the fees and why do different doctors charge different fees?

The BMA suggest fees that may be charged in certain circumstances. However, these are intended for guidance only. Doctors are not obliged to charge the rates suggested by the BMA and the fee levels will generally reflect the amount of work and time involved.

5.      Why do GP’s charge for the completion of cremation forms?

A deceased person cannot be cremated until the cause of death is known and properly recorded. Before cremation takes place two certificates must be signed, one by the GP and one by another doctor. The completion of these forms is not part of a doctor’s NHS duties, and the fees are usually charged to the funeral director who generally passes on the cost to the family.

These fees are agreed with the National Association of Funeral Directors, the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and Co-operative Funeral Care. Death Certificates are a separate form and are completed free of charge.

6.      What notice is needed for completion of reports and letters?

To allow the practice to plan the GP’s time 4 weeks’ notice is required although many are completed within this time. Where a patient has an urgent request, this should be explained to the receptionist who will note the request however it is not always possible for other more clinically urgent work to be delayed.

7.      Patient need to pay in advance before we do any private letters