The NHS sets out what it will pay GP practices to do and what it will not pay for
Private work
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. Reports should be completed and returned within twenty working days from receipt of pre-payment.
The NHS sets out what it will pay GP practices to do and what it will not pay for.
When GPs are asked to do work which is not paid for by the NHS, this takes staff and doctors away from doing NHS work caring for patients. We have to make that time back up, which costs the practice money. To be fair to everyone, we have to pass those charges on to whoever has asked us to do the non-NHS work.
Some non-NHS work can only be done by a doctor e.g. holiday cancellation forms, insurance forms. Please expect a charge for these – you will be informed of this before the work is carried out. These charges are simply to cover our costs for doing this work.
Pre-payment
Unfortunately in the past we have completed reports and forms before payment has been made, but have sadly found there to be too many occasions when the doctor has given up the time to do the work, but the fee has not been forthcoming. If there is a fee for a private report, the Receptionists will need to collect this before the report or form can be completed. There will be no exceptions to this.
Passport signing
Your GP is no longer able to do a countersignature for a passport application. The guidance includes a long list of other people whom you can approach to sign these.
Taxi and HGV medical examinations
Please note we are currently NOT offering these. We can provide a Brief Summary from your medical records free of charge which you can take to a private company for this examination.