Services which are outside the NHS Contract
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. When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire medical record to ensure they are providing accurate information. GPs will not be able to complete forms immediately so please ensure you give them reasonable notice.
List of chargeable fees
Payment Terms and Conditions
- Payment by cash or card can be made at Reception or over the telephone by card
- Payment for all non-NHS work must be paid in advance of the work being completed
- Payment for medicals is accepted via BACS. Payment is due within 30 days and should be made with a meaningful reference.
- A receipt will be issued for any payments made
- If you have any problems regarding the contents of this page please contact the Practice and ask to speak to the Practice Manager
| Service | Charge |
| TWIMC Letters (flat fee for all letters) | £30 |
| Private sick certificate | £20 |
| Holiday cancellation forms | £45 |
| Shotgun licence (new or renewal) | £70 |
| Fitness letters- gym/marathon/travel/other sporting event/ flying in pregnancy | Review of notes and no examination- £45 Review of notes AND examination required- £90 |
| IGPR reports e.g. for insurance companies | Initial Report- £120 Follow up questions- £60 Written reports for DWP/DVLA/Army- Fee set externally |
| Standard medical examination and report e.g. HGV/ PSV/ Taxi Driver/ Adoption medical | £150 |
| Capacity assessment +/- form e.g. POA | £130 |
| Capacity assessment +/- form (as a home visit) | £200 |
Travel Vaccinations
Many immunisations for travel are not covered by the NHS and will be charged for.
| Vaccine | Charge |
| Hepatitis B Adult | £50 per dose |
| Hepatitis B Child | £50 per dose |
| Meningitis ACWY | £65 per dose |
| Rabies | £85 per dose |
| Tick Borne Encephalitis Adult | £70 per dose |
| Tick Borne Encephalitis Child | £65 per dose |
| Japanese Encephalitis (needs to be ordered and paid for in advance) | £130 per dose |
| Yellow Fever including Certificate | £80 |
| Yellow Fever Exempt Certificate | £15 |
| Yellow Fever Replacement Certificate | £15 |
| Yellow Fever Duplicate Certificate | £15 |
Local Travel Clinics:
| Clinic | Medical Centre | Phone number |
| Masta, High Wycombe | Lane End Pharmacy | 0330 100 4200 |
| Masta, Reading RG1 | Newdays Pharmacy | 0330 100 4134 |
| Masta, RG30 | Grovelands Medical Centre | 0330 100 4292 |
Your questions answered
Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies.
Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed 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 non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.
In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
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
- Simple certificates such as fitness to fly
- HGV medicals
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 patient workload, which must always take priority. Paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to set aside extra time to complete these requests.
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