Non-NHS Services
The Government’s contract with General Practitioners covers medical services to NHS patients; however, in recent years an increasing number of organisations have been involving General Practitioners in a wide range of non-medical work such as, confirmation that a patient is not fit for jury service etc.
General Practitioners do not have to carry out non-NHS work; however, they will always attempt to assist their patients where necessary.
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the General Practitioner away from the medical care of their patients. Most General Practitioners have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time especially with complex cases.
The BMA suggests fees may be charged in certain circumstances; however, these are intended for guidance only and as such Practices are not obliged to charge the rates suggested by the BMA. In view of this, fee levels will generally reflect the amount of work and time involved. Unfortunately, urgent requests will incur a higher fee due to the nature of the time involved to ensure a speedy response.
We advise that non-NHS work can take up to 6 weeks to complete.
If you have any non-NHS work then please bring the relevant paperwork to the Practice Reception who can then pass it over to the relevant in-house team. Once completed you will be contacted and informed that it is ready for collection. When you attend to collect your completed paperwork, the necessary payments can be made at that point.
If you have any queries regarding non-NHS work which has exceeded our recommended 6 week timescale then please call the Practice on 0151 342 2811 (option 3), Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 2.30pm – 4.30pm.
Please click on the link for our Private Letter Policy https://hpgpwirral.nhs.uk/private-letter-policy/
Non-NHS Examinations
Our doctors do undertake medical examinations for special purposes eg elderly drivers, pre-employment, fitness to travel or play sport etc.
Special appointments may be made and a fee may be payable – please ask our receptionist for details.
Non-NHS Forms
Certain forms require your doctor’s signature eg fitness to join a gym, validation of medical insurance claims, both for consultations and treatment privately and for holiday cancellations. The signing of such forms is not an NHS obligation and attracts an appropriate British Medical Association-approved fee – our receptionist will give you details.
Private Referrals
Occasionally patients request a private referral to see a specialist.
If you have discussed a private referral with your GP and they have agreed to complete the referral, it is worth noting that they work differently to that of an NHS referral.
The attached leaflet, gives details on what you can expect to happen if you ask your GP to refer you to see a specialist
doctor privately.
