A wide range of services is provided at St. Mary’s Surgery which are not covered by the National Health Service eg medical examinations for HGV and PSV licences, pre-employment and fitness to travel examinations, signing of passport application forms and completion of private medical certificates etc. for our own patients.

These services are provided at the discretion of the doctors and a fee will be payable. Various clinic trials are also undertaken at the practice, for which patient volunteers are sought from time to time.

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

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 because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

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 true and accurate.

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

• Accident/sickness Insurance claim forms
• Certain travel vaccinations
• Pre-employment Medical/Questionnaire form
• Holiday cancellation forms
• Medicals for HGV/Taxi/PSV
• Private medical insurance reports
• Medical for ‘fitness to start a diet regime’
• Letters for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
• Ofsted reports

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

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with disability living allowance and attendance allowance
• Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering