The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions.
Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees. In other cases. In other cases it is because the service isn’t covered by the NHS, 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.
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 pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs. The NHS does not pay for some of our services.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GP’s can charge their patients
Private sick notes
Private letter
Insurance forms
Holiday cancellation forms
Medical Reports
Fit to travel certificates/letters
Private prescriptions
Passport signing
Some vaccination services
Requests will only be processed once payment has been received.
You can find our fees for these services in the surgery.
