Non-NHS Work

The National Health Service (NHS) offers most healthcare services to the public at no cost, though there are some exceptions. Prescription charges have been in place since 1951, and there are additional services for which fees are required.

Charges are sometimes imposed when a service isn’t covered by the NHS, such as providing medical reports for insurance companies or employers.

The NHS general practice contract covers medical services for NHS patients but does not include non-NHS tasks.

In recent years, an increasing number of organisations have started involving doctors in various non-medical roles. Often, GPs are asked to participate simply because they hold a position of trust, or because the organisation wants to ensure the accuracy of the information they receive.

Please see below for a guidance price list. GPs are required to register for VAT, therefore, the basic rate of VAT will be added, where applicable to the price of the service.

Charges apply to both adults and children.

A separate information leaflet is available for patients that explains our charging policy in relation to Travel Vaccinations.

Non-NHS services not detailed below will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

For further information please inform our administration team using our online services form – click on the ‘Administration’ tile.

Please download and view our current price list.

Accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes

School fee and holiday insurance certificates

Reports for Health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise

Private prescriptions for travel purposes

Life assurance and Income protection reports for insurance companies

Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and Attendance allowance

Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering

Do GPs have to complete non-NHS work for their patients?
With a few exceptions, such as confirming a patient’s unfitness for jury service, GPs are not obligated to carry out non-NHS tasks for their patients. While GPs will try to assist with form completion, they are not required to handle non-NHS work.

Does the BMA set fees for non-NHS work?
The British Medical Association (BMA) recommends fees that GPs may charge for non-NHS services (those not covered by the NHS contract). These suggested fees are intended as a guide for practices, but they can be adjusted as necessary.

Why does it sometimes take so long for my GP to complete my form?
Completing forms and preparing reports takes time away from providing direct medical care, contributing to the heavy workload in primary care. Patient care is always prioritised, which means non-NHS work may take longer. Additionally, some reports may be complex, requiring information from multiple sources or even a medical examination, which can further impact the completion time.

I only need the doctor’s signature—why is it a problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or fills out a report, they must ensure the information is accurate. As part of their medical registration, they can only sign what they know to be true. To complete even a simple form, a doctor may need to review the patient’s entire medical record. An inaccurate report can have serious consequences for both the patient and the doctor, who could face an investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC) or even legal consequences. If you’re a new patient, we may not have your medical records, and the doctor will need to wait for these before completing any forms.

What will I be charged?
It’s recommended that GPs inform patients ahead of time about any charges and the corresponding fees. Our practice maintains a list of fees, which is available at Reception and on our website.

How can I help?
Not all documents require a doctor’s signature. For instance, passport applications can often be signed by someone else in a trusted position at no charge. Be sure to read the instructions on the forms carefully. In line with previous guidance, our doctors do not countersign passport applications. If you have multiple forms to be completed, it’s helpful to present them all at once. Please note that it may take up to 4 weeks for forms to be completed. If the request is urgent, special arrangements can be made, which may incur additional costs. Our priority will always be the care of NHS patients over non-NHS work.