What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. Sometimes the only reason that a GP is asked to provide information is because they hold a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company wants to be sure that the information provided to them is true and accurate.

Examples of Non-NHS services which GP’s can charge their NHS patients:

The NHS provides most health services to people free of charge, but there are some exceptions.

• Accident/sickness insurance certificates and reports
• Private medical insurance reports
• Holiday Cancellation forms

Examples of non-NHS services which GP’s can charge other institutions:

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
• Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering or occupational health departments

Why does it take so long for my GP to complete a form or report?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the care of our NHS patients. Our GP’s have a heavy workload – paperwork takes up an increasing amount of time.

I only need a doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a doctor signs a certificate or report, it is a condition of the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor might have to read patients entire medical record.

Non-NHS fees charged by Montpelier Surgery

Please allow up to 5 working days for completion of forms (unless otherwise advised).

• Adoption Medicals (payable by local authority – client to confirm) – £150.00
• Army/Forces Medical Forms (should be payable by Army) – £110.00
• DVLA medical examination – £40.00
• Holiday Cancellation form – £25.00
• ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letters – £25.00
• Other Medical Insurance Claim Forms (eg mortgage protect) – £25.00 – £50.00
• Private Medical Certificate / Sick Note – £25.00