Non NHS Private Fees

 

Learn more about our non-NHS services and private fees

Private Work Fees and Charges

The majority of procedures, consultations and services carried out at this surgery are paid for by the NHS.  However, there are some services, such as certain vaccinations and completion of medical reports and forms, which are chargeable as they do not fall under the terms of service of the NHS Standard Contract.

Our priority is NHS work. Non-NHS work is charged in line with British Medical Association Guidelines.

Please note that GPs are not obliged to do any of the above work, it will always take second place to their clinical work. Payment is due prior to any documentation release.

Our fees for these services are displayed below and in the surgery, however you will be notified of the charge prior to completion if requested. Private work can take up to 28 days to complete, this is in line with BMA approved national guidelines.

Fees and Charges for Private Services From 1st April 2017

Service Fee
Adoption Medical AH Form - £73.66
AH 2 Form - £24.36
BUPA / PPP - Claim Form £32.00
Child Acting (Star Agency) - Form £52.00
Childminder - Form £87.50
Consultation (Private per hour) £191.00
Copying Reports - (per side excluding postage) £0.58
Copying Notes Administration charge - £30.00
0.58p per side up to a maximum charge of £50.00
Court of Protection With examination - £128.00
Report only - no examination - £62.50
ECG - Recording of ECG £69.00
Holiday cancellation - Insurance claim form £32.00
Fitness to Travel - Certificate Certificate - £32.00
Cancellation certificate - £32.00
Freedom from Infection certificate £15.00
Ofsted - Form £52.00
Medicals (eg. HGV / Taxi Driver) - Including examination £110.00
Medical report only - Patient NOT examined £85.00
Private Sick Certificate £15.00
Records - Extract from £15.00
Reports for Insurance Companies £104.00
To Whom It May Concern Letter £32.00

Immunisation for Travel

Service Fee
Hep B (Adult and Paediatric) - Full course = 3 doses £30 per dose
Japanese Encephalitis - Full course = 2 doses £89 per dose
Malaria (private prescription) - Can be bought 'Over the Counter' from pharmacy £15.00
Meningitis ACWY - Full course = 1 dose £60
Rabies - Full course = 3 doses £55 per dose
Tick-Borne Encephalitis - Full course = 3 doses £55 per dose
Yellow Fever (inc certificate) - Full course = 1 dose £55
Certificate only - £15.00

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?

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 to cover 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.

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports

Can you give examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of local authority employees
  • DS 1500 Form (Disability Living/Attendance Allowance)

Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?

The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested.

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 – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – 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.

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 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, but the BMA produces lists of suggested fees which many doctors use. Surgeries often have lists of fees on the waiting room wall based on these suggested fees.

What can I do to help?

  • Not all documents need signature by a doctor, for example passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge.
  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them all at once as a (job lot) at a reduced price.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. You should expect the form(s) to take up to 4 weeks for the GP to complete and return

More About Our Services

Kent House Surgery
36 Station Road
Longfield
Kent
DA3 7QD

Telephone: 01474 702 127

New Ash Green Surgery
New Ash Green
Longfield
Kent
DA3 8RH

Telephone: 01474 873 828