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Private Services

Non NHS Services - Private Work Fees

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.  The majority of these charges are required to be paid up front; our reception team will advise at the time your request is made.

You may be asked to attend the surgery for a medical examination as part of your request, examples of this include TAXI & HGV Medicals. Once your interest has been expressed, your name will be added to our waiting list and you will be contacted as soon as an appointment with the GP becomes available. 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales, as of November 2023.

Examples include the following:

  • Hepatitis B Vaccinations - (ask for further information and costings)
  • Health Medical Examinations - £135.00 (Comprehensive examination and report 45 minutes)  Medical examinations for special purposes e.g. elderly drivers, pre-employment, insurance medicals 

  • Holiday Cancellation Certificates - £50.00

  • Fitness to Travel Forms - £45.00

  • Housing Association Forms - We do not currently offer these. Please re-direct your request to MIND In the Vale, who can offer support with housing. 

  • Sickness/Accident Forms - £40.00

  • LGV/PCV/Taxi Driver/Fitness Certificates - £135.00 (Comprehensive examination and report 45 minutes)

  • Private Sick Note - £35.00

  • To Whom It May Concern -  Min £40.00 (depends on content

  • Paternity - DNA testing - £50.00

  • GP/ NP Signature for other forms (Welsh Water, Bus Pass) - £20.00

 

A Deposit of £40.00 (Cash or Cheque) will be required upon request for any of the above, or £20 for GP/ ANP Signature.  **Please allow 40 working days for completion of your request following payment**

 

Why do GP’s charge fees?

The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees. In other cases it is because the service isn’t covered by the NHS, for example medical reports of insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical record.

It is important to understand that GP’s are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they must 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. Our fees are calculated based on our GPs Private hourly rate.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. 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 be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their patients

  • Certain travel vaccinations
  • Private medical insurance reports
  • Holiday cancellation forms
  • Referral for private care forms
  • Letters request by, or on behalf of, the patient
  • In certain instances fitness to work forms
  • HGV/LGV/PCV examinations

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions

  • Medical reports for an insurance company
  • Some reports for the DSS/Benefit Agency
  • Examinations of local authority employees

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/her patients. Most GPs have a heavy workload – the majority of GPs work up to 60 hours per week 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 or even the police.

 

***We DO NOT complete passport forms***

***We no longer complete Blue Badge Forms at the surgery. Please contact Cardiff Council for this service. You do not need any information from your GP***

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