Listed below are the charges we make for certain types of private work.
The fees are as recommended by the British Medical Association and are valid with effect from January 2011.

Please note that from 4^th Jan 2011 the rate of VAT on has been changed to 20%.

* - Indicates VAT will be charged at the standard rate

Notes

The basic policy that is suggested by HM Customs is that VAT is not chargeable on areas where this protects, maintains or restores the health of an individual. In cases where the report enables the individual to undertake an activity is normally chargeable.
For any fees not displayed, please enquire before requesting the completion of the work/form.
Patients cancelling on the same day or failing to attend will be charged 25% cost of any medical fee. In these cases, future medicals will be payable in advance.
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951 but there are a number of other services for which fees are charged.

Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example, dental fees; in other cases, it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies.
It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self-employed and have to cover their own costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but non-NHS work there is no payment from the NHS. The fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs in these cases.
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 certificates for insurance purposes
• Reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
• Pre-employment and HGV medicals, as requested by employers
• Private prescriptions, e.g. for malaria

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

• Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
• Some reports for the Department For Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering

Often we are asked why we are charging just for a signature. However, 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, therefore, 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 General Medical Council (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.

In the event of a query, please contact the Managing Partner on 0844 477 3603 or e-mail ManagingPartner@spinney-surgery.org.uk

Vat registration no: 878 6640 64

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