Private Services and Non-NHS Services

GPs are often asked by patients to complete forms of various types or prepare medical reports for outside organisations. This type of work usually does not form part of the NHS GP Contract. As such, it is deemed as ‘private work’, undertaken outside of NHS duties, and a fee will usually be levied. For some types of work the GP may be able to levy the fee directly to the requesting organisation (eg insurance companies and some local authority departments).

Our fees are in line with national guidance from the British Medical Association, and represent the complexity and time often taken to complete this type of paperwork.

Examples of chargeable  ‘non-NHS services’ include:

  • Private sick notes
  • Medicals for insurance purposes
  • Holiday cancellation forms
  • ‘To Whom It May Concern’ supporting letters insurers, courts, universities etc
  • Commercial/HGV driving license applications
  • Medical certificates for participation in certain sporting activities/residential courses

Key points:

  • Unless specified, most forms will usually not require a face-to-face GP appointment. If unsure, please check with a receptionist prior to booking with a GP. Please note we are unable to accommodate form or letter requests during our Urgent Clinics.
  • Requests may take up to 28 days to be completed, and on occasion longer, if a specific GP is away on leave. This time frame enables the GPs to prioritise their NHS clinical work. If documentation is required more urgently please indicate this at the time of the request and we will do our best to accommodate.
  • Other Professionals – please check if it is essential that your paperwork be completed specifically by a GP, as many organisations now accept signatures for certification purposes from other professionals (eg teacher, lawyer, etc) Finding another professional may reduce delay, and potentially also a fee.
  • Accessing Records – If you wish to simply access your medical records, a member of the Reception team will be pleased to set you up for our Online Services where a range of services, including the option to view your full medical record, are available. Please note, photo ID will be required when signing up for this service.
  • British Passport applications can no longer be signed by a GP. Please see the GOV.UK website for a list of those professionals that can sign Passport applications for you.
  • Photo Verification Requests – please ensure that the request is directed to a GP who you have previously met and would recognise your photo. We often have requests for identity verification which we are unable to complete because the patient is not well known to any of the staff.
  • Local Authorities (LA) Requests for additional medical information to support certain applications (eg Housing) are only needed in a minority of cases, and then only after a patient has completed their self-assessment. If additional information pertaining to your application is deemed to be necessary, the LA will usually make a formal written request directly to the GP. LAs discourage unsolicited letters from GPs. Our policy is therefore to wait for an official request before preparing any supporting or appeal letters. If you are finding difficulty in providing suitable evidence to support an application or appeal, please inform one of the Practice Administrators and they may be able to assist.
  • Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit appeals – the GP will ordinarily require a copy of the grounds upon which the original DWP decision was reached, along with additional information from the patient outlining the basis for the appeal. Fees for this service will be discretionary, determined on on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon complexity.
  • Medical Sickness Certificates (MED3 form) are issuable during GP consultations if you have been off work for more than 7 calendar days for medical reasons. For absences <7 days in length, you may complete a Self-Certificate (SC2 form) provided by your employer which can certify your absence for purposes of pay. There may be occasions when an employer may insist upon a GP certificate for short absences. Certificates of this nature are chargeable.
  • School Absences do not ordinarily require a GP note. National guidance states that a school should accept a parent or guardian’s assessment that a child is unfit to attend school. Some schools may still insist upon a GP letter and we understand this often puts parents in a difficult position. Our policy is that such requests should come from the school, and may be liable for a charge.

Fee Schedule (Apr 2023):

Private Sick Note £25
Letter for gym £25
Attendance letter £10
Medical report requiring examination £100
Medical report from notes only £60
Firearm license form £60
Holiday cancellation certificate £25
Fitness to travel letter £25
Fitness to attend course/activity/perform £25
Driving medical (Eg HGV, PCV) £100
DWP appeal letter To be agreed at request, GP discretion

This list is not exhaustive. If you have any queries relating to these charges please let Reception know prior to the commencement of the work.

Payment must be made in advance or on collection of the report and can be done by BACS transfer, or at Reception via cash or card.

If by BACS transfer, please use the following details, giving your full name as the reference:

Drs Steeden and Hussein
56-00-17
2351 9630

Appendix: