Non-NHS Fees and Charges It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are 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 work, the fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs. The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, however, 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 ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate BMA suggest fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge. Surgeries should have lists of fees available for patients. Please note: Not all documents need a 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. For Passport and naturalisation applications a GP has to have known the patient or in the case of child the parents for a certain period of time. The GP has the right to refuse if he/she has not known the patient for the defined period of time or if he/she feels they would not be able to recognise the child from the photograph. Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangement to process the form quickly, and this will cost more. Please be aware that some reports may take more time, as the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical records. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC) or even the police. By law you are entitled to self certify sickness up to 7 days. Current BMA recommendations are fee matched to a rate of £266 per hour.
Non-NHS Fees and Charges It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are 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 work, the fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs. The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. In recent years, however, 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 ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate BMA suggest fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up the individual doctor to decide how much to charge. Surgeries should have lists of fees available for patients. Please note: Not all documents need a 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. For Passport and naturalisation applications a GP has to have known the patient or in the case of child the parents for a certain period of time. The GP has the right to refuse if he/she has not known the patient for the defined period of time or if he/she feels they would not be able to recognise the child from the photograph. Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangement to process the form quickly, and this will cost more. Please be aware that some reports may take more time, as the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical records. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC) or even the police. By law you are entitled to self certify sickness up to 7 days. Current BMA recommendations are fee matched to a rate of £266 per hour.
Non%20NHS%20Fees.docx