Private Services from your doctor

January 2018

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances there are currently delays on the processing of private work requests submitted to the practice. We are doing our best to address this and would appreciate your cooperation and understanding should it take us longer than usual to turnaround non-NHS work.

As part of this, we will no longer be able to provide private medicals for DVLA HGV/Bus/Lorry purposes, we are aware there are local companies that will provide you with this service. Many thanks

As you are aware, most of the services we provide as a General Practice are free of charge under the NHS.  However, the NHS does not cover certain services and therefore we do make a ‘private’ charge to all our patients including children, in line with fees recommended by the British Medical Association. 

For a full explanation of ‘Why GPs sometimes charge fees’, please visit the BMA website:

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/why-gps-charge-fees

These services are for items such as completing a travel cancellation form, fitness to travel certificates, Ofsted medical reports or general ‘to whom it may concern’ letters.  We have kept our fees on hold for several years but regrettably now need to increase them slightly from 1st April 2017; a price list is available on the notice board in the Waiting Room or on the link below.

On average, we receive around 20-30 requests per month for private work and this has to be ‘slotted in’ around NHS clinical work which must take priority.  Sometimes it may look as though all that is required is a signature, however, in order to sign your document the Doctor has to read all your medical notes and this can take time.  This is why we ask for a minimum turnaround of 3 weeks for such requests.  Please therefore bring your requests in as early as possible in order to avoid disappointment.

Fees for Private Services April 2017

Private Referrals

If you require a private referral, please allow at least one week from consultation with your doctor before booking your appointment with the hospital.  This then allows us time to produce your letter in a timely manner.  Once your letter is ready we will either post direct to the hospital or telephone you to collect to take with you to your appointment.  Please tell your doctor of your preference during your consultation.