Non-NHS Fees
Why do GPs 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 doctors’ 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.
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.
Private Forms, Letters & Medical Reports Fees
| Forms & Letters | |
| Service | Fee |
| To Whom It May Concern Letter (re: medical information) | £50* |
| To Whom It May Concern Letter | £42 + VAT (£50.40) |
| Private Medical Insurance Form | £50 + VAT (£60) |
| Firearms GP Proforma | £50 + VAT (£60) |
| Council Tax Reduction Form (Severe Mental Impairment) | FREE |
| SDC Homelessness Form | £25 + VAT* |
| Travel Letter for Carrying Medication | £50* |
| Travel Cancellation Insurance Form | £65 + VAT (£80) |
| Adoption & Fostering Medicals | |
| Service | Fee |
| Form AH (Health Assessment) –Standard health declaration for prospective adopters/fosterers | £120 |
| Full Adoption Medical – Comprehensive physical examination and detailed report(often requested by agencies) | £170 |
| Update / Review Report – Brief update to an existing medical report on file | £65 |
| Driving Medicals | |
| Service | Fee |
| DVLA Form with Medical Examination | £85 (payable by the DVLA) |
| Medical Examinations | |
| Service | Fee |
| HGV Medical (D4) | £140 |
| Boat Masters Medical | £115 |
| Taxi Medical | £115 |
| Reports | |
| Service | Fee |
| GPR and IGPR (Insurance Report) | £180 |
| Extra Information Sheet (Insurance) | £80 |
| Firearms Medical Report | £115 + VAT (£140) |
Important Information
* Please note that letters and forms can take up to 28 days to complete. While we will always endeavour to process requests sooner where possible, any letters or forms required within one week will incur an additional fast-track fee of £50.
