Download Charges for Services which fall outside of NHS work

Charges for services which fall outside of NHS work
This information is very important if you decide to see someone privately, have travel
vaccinations or ask us for letters to certify your health for recreational activities,
employment, housing and so on.
If you see a private consultant or healthcare professional, all tests, prescriptions and other
work that you ask us to do, resulting from your private consultation, are chargeable to you
at the time we undertake the work.
Some blood tests privately requested on your behalf can be expensive so you should discuss
this with the consultant when you see them. The NHS does not pay for these tests when
you have been seen privately. There are no exceptions to this.
Private prescriptions cost £15 + VAT if to be taken to a pharmacy, or the cost of the
medication if dispensed here. Certain medications can also be expensive, and again this is a
discussion you should have with your private provider.
Travel vaccinations – these are chargeable at the time of administering them. This includes
malaria tablets which are done on a private prescription and any ‘Fit for travel’ letters and
so on. The nurses will advise which vaccinations are recommended when you submit a
Travel form.
Doctor’s Letters- The minimum charge, for a ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letter, is £15 + VAT.
Our Administrator will advise you of the relevant charge from your written request.
If you ask the doctor to certify you as ’Fit for..’ an activity – recreational or educational, or
for employment such as to drive an HGV or a Taxi, this requires them to work through your
records in their own time and take responsibility for that certification, and the costs vary for
these processes.
Letters and reports for solicitors and insurance companies are always chargeable. This is
not NHS work and can be very time consuming. You should firstly check with the company
concerned to see if you have to pay for medical records or reports, and what information
they are asking us for.
Printouts from your medical record – these use our time and printing resources – which can
be expensive as we are a small organisation – so we ask for a contribution. Currently our
printing costs are 20 pence per sheet, payable at the time of request or collection.
I appreciate your understanding and compliance with these requirements. The fees have
been decided by the GP based on the request and the receptionist cannot alter or waive
these.
Mrs Victoria Hawkins, Practice Manager