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 GP’s are asked is that 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.

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

With certain limited exceptions, for example, a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients.  Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with 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 very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they must 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.  To complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report could potentially have serious consequences for the doctor.

How long will it take to process my request?

We aim to complete your request within 30 days from the date it was received. It is possible that your request may take longer than this due to excessive requests or if NHS work is backlogged.

We are aware that some patients may need non-NHS work completed urgently. We will try our best to complete the work as soon as possible but there is no guarantee that this work can be completed within the timeframe specified.

The following  services are not available on the NHS and therefore a fee is payable.  Fees may vary according to the time taken to complete the report and any administration costs e.g. photocopying/postage – please see reception for more info re: fees.  All fees for a private report/letter/examination must be paid for up front. 

Examples:

• Private sicknote or short certificate (inc. fitness to attend school/games etc)
• Travel Cancellation Form Sickness/Insurance Claim Form
• Full Report from Records (e.g. driving fitness/insurance claim/army)
• Private Medical Examination (e.g. drivers/employment/army)
• Sickness/Accident Reports
• Full Medical & Report
• Insurance Proposal (PMA) Report
• Insurance Proposal
• To whom it may concern letter from GP
• Supplementary report
• Adoption/Fostering report and/or examination
• Firearms medical information proforma

We do not provide reports in relation to blue badge requests, lasting power of attorney requests, mental capacity assessment, council tax exemptions, court of protection, “fitness to” letters e.g.  fly, gym, cycle, take part in a marathon or any form of extreme sports.