Why are fees charged?
The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. However, in recent years an increasing number of organisations have been involving doctors in a wide range of non-NHS work. This work is not funded by the government, so GPs must charge a fee to cover their time and other expenses.
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form/letter?
Please Note: All form/report/letter work can take up-to 28 days for completion. Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of patients. GP’s have an increasing workload of paperwork and forms, however, caring for patients and other urgent administration will always take priority.
I only need the GP’s signature – What’s 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 the doctor may need to check the patient’s entire medical record.
Who sets the fees and why do different doctors charge different fees?
The BMA suggest fees that may be charged in certain circumstances, however these are intended for guidance only. Doctors are not obliged to charge the rates suggested by the BMA and the fee levels will generally reflect the amount of work and time involved.