Non-NHS Services
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.
Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.
Crown Heights Medical Centre also provides the following non-NHS chargeable services. Forms and letters relating to private health insurance, travel insurance claims, the cancellation of holidays, the inability to attend or participate in exams, school or college activities and the ability/inability to undertake exercise or sports activities (this list is not exhaustive).
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
- Accident/sickness insurance certificates
- Certain travel vaccinations
- Private medical insurance reports
- Statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
- Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient.
- Holiday cancellation claim forms.
- Referral for private care forms
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
- Medical reports for an insurance company
- Some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
- Examinations of occupational health
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. This comes second to their core workload being NHS medical care. They try to complete non-NHS work as soon as they possibly can but state this could take up to 30 days. Non-NHS work is completed first come first serve rather than based on priority needs.
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 can I do to help?
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight and only request if no other person can complete the form on your behalf.
Private work is done on a pre-pay basis only and you should expect to pay before the GP commences any work. This is due to the significant cost of doing work that is never paid for and the costs of chasing payment.
