Some services are not covered by the NHS and our practice will therefore charge a fee for completion of this work.
Please note we are unable to provide pre-employment or occupational health advice (other than fitness to drive). These queries should be conducted by your employer’s occupational health provider.
For non-NHS work such as medical examinations, reports and certificates letters etc., there will be a fee incurred.
You will need to pay for the service at Reception or via our online payment provider before the appointment or before completion of any documents etc. Payment can be made by cheque, cash or credit card.
Why do GPs charge fees?
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 government contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, however 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 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.
This work takes time and resources, for example; medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records, ensure information is accurate and correct and appropriately summarised for the purpose. This can be quite time consuming.
See this article from the BMA for more information: https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/fees/why-doctors-charge-fees/why-does-my-doctor-charge-fees
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their patients
- Private medical insurance reports.
- Holiday cancellation forms.
- Letters request by, or on behalf of, the patient.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are
- Medical reports for an insurance company
- Some reports for the Department for Work and Pensions or the DVLA
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 which is their main priority.
Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition, non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time.
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. Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor may need to check the patient’s entire 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?
- 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.
- If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once to see if we can complete them at the same time to speed up the process.
- Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. Urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this will cost more.
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, for example for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
- GP’s will NOT countersign passport or Citizenship applications
- We will also not routinely issue sick notes or letters for children at school. For further guidance please see the attached document using this link: Sick notes for children.pdf
Housing Applications
Please note the Practice does not provide letters of support for housing applications. We find that these letters very rarely make a difference to your application and are non-NHS work. Whilst we appreciate that housing problems can be stressful; this is a matter for the council housing office. If the council requires additional medical information, they will send a specific form to the GP surgery. You will need to provide your written consent for this.
If you are intending to apply for a council home for health reasons, information in support an application based on health grounds, should be supplied by the applicant using a form provided by the Housing Department (self-assessment). This should not require any input from the GP practice.
The Council will write, in confidence, to your doctor if further information is required.
Patients are often wrongly advised to get a letter from their GP. We understand this can be extremely frustrating and we can provide you with a summary printout of your records to support your application. Alternatively, you can access your records via the NHS App. For further information please visit the Council’s website: Oxford City Council Housing
Charges for Non-NHS work
| Private Consultation | Paid By | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Private Script | Patient | £30.00 |
| Private Sick Note | Patient | £30.00 |
| Private Blood Test – General Diagnostic – taking sample only. | Patient | £50.00 |
| Insurance Reports – Life / Medical / Pensions | Paid By | Charge |
| General Practitioner Insurance Report – GPR | Insurance Co | £150.00 |
| Supplementary GP Insurance Reports/Targeted Reports | Insurance Co | £50.00 |
| Life Insurance Medical Examination | Insurance Co | £150.00 |
| Special Practitioners Report | Insurance Co | £75.00 |
| Medical Insurance Claim Form – non travel | Patient | £75.00 |
| School Fees Insurance Claim Form | Patient | £50.00 |
| Provision of medical letter to assist with Insurance Claim | Insurance Co | £50.00 |
| Continuing Claim Form/ Disability Certificate | Insurance Co / Patient | £50.00 |
| HIV Blood Test without counselling (kit supplied) | Insurance Co | £50.00 |
| Driving Medicals And Reports | Paid By | Charge |
| HGV/PCV/Taxi Medical | Patient | £150.00 |
| DVLA D4 Medical | Patient | £150.00 |
| DVLA Fitness to Drive Questionnaire (without assessment) | DVLA | £75.00 |
| DVLA Fitness to Drive Questionnaire with assessment | DVLA | £150.00 |
| Elderly Driver Medical for Motor Insurance | Patient | £150.00 |
| Occupational Health | Paid By | Charge |
| Provision of medical information to assist in pre-employment occupational health. No Opinion | Employer | £100.00 |
| Provision of medical information to assist in pre-employment occupational health. With Opinion | Employer | £150.00 |
| Simple Form for pre-employment | Patient | £50.00 |
| Pre-employment medical examination (30mins). | Employer | £150.00 |
| Provision of medical information to assist in post employment occupational health. | Employer | £75.00 |
| Post-employment medical examination (30mins). | Employer | £150.00 |
| Night Worker Medical (working time directive – current employees) | Employer | £150.00 |
| Army – Pre-employment medical | Army | £100.00 |
| Police Medical Questionnaire | Police | £60.00 |
| Police Rehabilitation Form | Patient | £35.00 |
| Completion of Medical Student / Student Nurse / Dental Student Occupational Health Form | Patient/ University | £30.00 |
| Completion of Medical Police Officer Occupational Health Form | Patient | £50.00 |
| Ofsted Form | Patient/Employer | £100.00 |
| Disabled Student Allowance Form for Student Finance | Patient | £30.00 |
| Ill Health Retirement Form. No Opinion | Patient/Employer/ Insurance Co | £75.00 |
| Ill Health Retirement Form. With Opinion | Patient/Employer/ Insurance Co | £150.00 |
| Hep B Vaccination – Full Course | Employer | £150.00 |
| Hep B Vaccination – Booster | Employer | £50.00 |
| Department Of Work And Pensions | Paid By | Charge |
| Completion of DS1500 | DWP | £17.00 |
| Completion of Factual Report DLA | DWP | £33.50 |
| Jobcentre Plus Benefits Claim Form | Patient | £24.00 |
| Holiday & Travel Reports, Vaccinations And Malaria | Paid By | Charge |
| Travel Report/Holiday Cancellation Claim | Patient | £50.00 |
| Holiday Cancellation Certificate with examination | Patient | £150.00 |
| Taken Ill Abroad – Medical Form re Travel Insurance | Patient | £75.00 |
| Pre-Travel Simple Certificate | Patient | £35.00 |
| Polio | Patient | FREE |
| Tetanus and Diphtheria | Patient | FREE |
| Hepatitis A | Patient | FREE |
| Typhoid | Patient | FREE |
| Hep B – Full Course | Patient | £150.00 |
| Hep B – Booster | Patient | £50.00 |
| Jap B Encephalitis (course of 2) – (ordered for patient upon receipt for payment) | Patient | 200.00 |
| Tick-borne Encephalitis (course of 3) – private script and vaccine administration | Patient | £150.00 |
| Rabies (course of 3) – (ordered for patient upon receipt for payment) | Patient | £200.00 |
| Malaria – Private Script | Patient | £30.00 |
| Antibiotics – Private Script | Patient | £30.00 |
| Court Of Protection/Court Fees/Cica/ Solicitors Letters & Reports | Paid By | Charge |
| Letter to solicitor providing medical information to assist with legal proceedings | Solicitor | £50.00 |
| Assessment of capacity and completion of power of attorney/ Court of Protection CP3 (no visit). | Solicitor/Patient | £80.00 |
| Assessment of capacity and completion of power of attorney/ Court of Protection CP3 (visit). | Solicitor/Patient | £150.00 |
| Court of Protection CP7 | Solicitor/Patient | £80.00 |
| CICA Report | Patient | £45.00 |
| CICA Report no attendance at time of incident | Patient | £35.00 |
| CICA – 6 or more photocopied docs | Patient | £10.00 |
| Letter to confirm health for attendance at court proceedings. | Solicitor | £50.00 |
| Letter to confirm drug or alcohol abuse for Court proceedings. | Solicitor | £50.00 |
| Adoption & Fostering | Paid By | Charge |
| Adoption Medical (30 minutes per couple) | Patient/Agency | £150.00 |
| Adoption Report (per couple) | Patient/Agency | £110.00 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports | NHS/Agency | £40.08 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Re-examination and reports | NHS/Agency | £25.70 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. – Freedom of Infection Certificate only | NHS/Agency | £25.70 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. Forms C,D,YP or AME | NHS/Agency | £97.91 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. Form AH ( Adult Prospective Carer) | NHS/Agency | £77.92 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. Form AH 2 ( Reviews from GP records) | NHS/Agency | £33.50 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. Form IHA (Initial Health assessment) | NHS/Agency | £75.00 |
| Children in care, adoption and fostering. Examination and reports. Form M/B (Obstetric & neo-natal) | NHS/Agency | £50.00 |
| Medicals & Reports – Various | Paid By | Charge |
| Sports Medical (flying, racing, diving, etc) | Patient | £150.00 |
| Other Medicals | Patient | £150.00 |
| Certificate of Fitness to Do ‘Something’ | Patient | £30.00 |
| Veterans Agency Report | DBA | £50.00 |
| Cremation Forms | Funeral Director | £82.00 |
| Coroner’s Report | Coroner | £68.10 |
| Medical report re housing | Patient/ Council | £50.00 |
| Letter to assist DLA Claim | Patient | £30.00 |
| HIV Blood Test inc counselling (kit supplied) | Patient/Third party | £150.00 |
| DNA Paternity Test (kit supplied) | Patient/Third party | £50.00 |
| To whom it may concern letter single paragraph (non – medical) | Patient | £30.00 |
| To whom it may concern letter single paragraph (medical) | Patient | £30.00 |
| To whom it may concern letter multiple paragraph (non – medical) | Patient | £30.00 |
| To whom it may concern letter multiple paragraph (medical) | Patient | £50.00 |
| Shotgun Licence | Patient | £50.00 |
| Shotgun/Firearm Certificate Fitness statement | Police | £30.00 |
| Blue Badge | Local Authority | £30.00 |
| Pension – Life Certificate | Patient | £30.00 |
| Social Care Inspection Form (CQC) | Patient | £30.00 |
| Police Statement | Police | £33.50 |
| Police Statement – serious crime | Police | £79.00 |
| Collaborative Fees | Paid By | Charge |
| Examination of blind/partially sighted patient to complete form BD8.(consulting room) | NHS / Local Authority | £74.28 |
| Re-examination of blind/partially sighted patient to complete form BD8.(consulting room | NHS / Local Authority | £48.52 |
| Examination of blind/partially sighted patient to complete form BD8.(patient’s home) | NHS / Local Authority | £96.37 |
| Re-examination of blind/partially sighted patient to complete form BD8.(patient’s home) | NHS / Local Authority | £74.28 |
| Psychiatric examination under section 105 of the NHS Act 1977 or for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983. MHA1 | NHS / Local Authority | £177.18 |
| Psychiatric examination under section 105 of the NHS Act 1977 or for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983. MHA2 | NHS / Local Authority | £54.94 |
| Other Examination and reports required by local authorities under the collaborative arrangements, e.g. housing report, kinship care scheme | NHS / Local Authority | £25.70 |
Subject Access Requests
Everybody has the right to obtain a copy of their personal data. You do not need to give a reason to see your data. An individual is only entitled to their own personal data, and not to information relating to other people (unless the information is also about them or they are acting on behalf of someone). Under special circumstances, some information may be withheld.
Access to the majority of your personal data (medical records) is provided free of charge through the Patient Online Access – this is the primary means of accessing your information and further copies may therefore be charged for.
Where the records are not shown on the Patient Online Access, or access is not possible, then a Data Subject Access Request (SAR) can be made to us. We ask that this request is made in writing where possible; ideally this should be made using the link below being as specific as possible about the information required. We will provide you a copy of your data within one calendar month, but can be extended if the request is complex or a number of requests have been received from you. We may also charge a reasonable fee for the administration of the request where the request is viewed as excessive or additional copies are required.
Legal Claim
There is a clear and established legal basis for processing health (special category) data in connection with the investigation, preparation and pursuit of legal claims, under Article 9(2)(f) of the UK GDPR. In such cases, a fee may be charged for preparing the medical records.
This approach ensures that the patient can review their own medical information first and then decide what is appropriate and relevant to share with their solicitor or insurance company in relation to their legal claim.
Because a Subject Access Request (SAR) is motive‑blind, some solicitors and insurance companies may submit SARs on a patient’s behalf in order to obtain the patient’s full medical record free of charge, contrary to the intention of GDPR.
Many patients are unaware that, in these circumstances, their entire medical record, or a substantial portion of it, may be requested. This can include highly sensitive information that is not relevant to their legal claim and may subsequently be shared with additional third parties involved in that claim, without the patient’s full understanding.
Releasing such a large volume of information to one or more third parties would likely result in the disclosure of irrelevant and excessive data, which would not comply with the GDPR principles of data minimisation under Article 5(1)(c) and Article 25(2), nor with ICO guidance.
In line with ICO guidance to general practices, our policy for these types of requests is to ensure that the patient receives their SAR directly. We use a trusted third‑party organisation to process SARs on our behalf, and they will send the completed SAR directly to the patient, free of charge.