The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment.  In recent years, however, 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 accurate and true.

The BMA (British Medical Association) suggest fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees.  However these are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the suggested rates.  Our rates our calculated based on estimated GP time taken to complete the work, in line with BMA bandings.

Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?

With certain limited exceptions (e.g. a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service), GP’s do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. 

Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients in the completion of forms for example for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.

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 heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to complete this work outside of and in addition to their normal hours.

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, 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 GMC or even the policy.

A list of the practice current non-NHS fees can be found here Non NHS Services Fees - Dec2024.pdf