Some services provided by our doctors are not covered under the NHS and will incur a fee.
Examples include:
- Medicals for pre-employment, sports, and driving (HGV, PSV, etc.)
- Insurance claim forms and medical reports
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
- Private sick notes or “fit to work” notes
- Vaccination certificates
Why is there a charge?
The NHS covers most healthcare free of charge, but certain services are outside the NHS contract.
Examples include:
- Providing copies of your health records
- Writing medical reports for insurance, solicitors, or employers
Most GPs are self-employed and must cover costs such as staff, buildings, heating, and lighting. Non-NHS work is usually completed outside of normal surgery hours and does not take priority over NHS care.
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work?
No. While GPs try to help patients where possible, they are not required to complete non-NHS work, except in limited cases (e.g., confirming you are unfit for jury service).
How are fees decided?
The British Medical Association (BMA) suggests guideline fees, but each GP sets their own charges. Our fees are based on these guidelines and are available on request.
Why can it take time?
- GPs must check your full medical record before signing a document, even if you “only need a signature.”
- This ensures all information is true and accurate.
- Private work is done in the GP’s own time, so please allow up to 4 weeks for completion.
If you are a new patient, we must have your full medical records before we can process your request.
How to request non-NHS work
- Write a letter including the date, your signature, and details of your request.
- Address it to our Admin and Finance Team and drop it at Reception with all relevant forms/documents.
- Payment must be made in advance (cash only).
- Please allow up to 4 weeks for completion (longer during busy periods).
What you can do to help
- Check if a doctor’s signature is really needed (e.g., passport applications can be signed by others in a position of trust).
- Bring all forms at once to save time.
- Avoid last-minute requests wherever possible.
Fees for Non-NHS Services
Below are our most common fees. A full list is available on request.
Certificates and forms
| Private letter / To whom it may concern: Minimum fee for basic letter (deposit) Where review, or production, of report is required, an additional fee will be requested up to a maximum | £35.00 £150.00 |
| Private letter for an employer – RE: Occupational health | £65.00 |
| Private sick note / Fit notes (Employer) | £35.00 |
| Witnessing power of attorney form | £60.00 |
| Power of attorney examination and certificate | £155.00 |
| Adoption and fostering – AH | £150.00 |
| Adoption and fostering – AH 2 | £150.00 |
| Driving licence photograph | £60.00 |
| Freedom from infection certificate | £50.00 |
| School fees insurance claim form | £45.00 |
| Health club – Fit to exercise | £50.00 |
| DNA testing | £75.00 |
| Disabled parking bay application (Blue Badge) | £35.00 |
| Third party letters (Immigration etc.) | £80.00 |
| RTA (Road Traffic Accident) Emergency Treatment | £21.30 |
| Certificates – RE: Seatbelt exemption certificate | £35.00 |
| Concessionary travel form | £35.00 |
| Fitness to travel certificate | £50.00 |
| Fitness for activity – RE: School, new jobs, university, courts | £50.00 |
| Activity gliding and certain classes of pilot | £50.00 |
| Holiday cancellation claim form | £60.00 |
| Childminder OFSTED health declaration | £70.00 |
| Police application to join | £70.00 |
| HGV/pilot/racing driver/ taxi/public transport service examination | £170.00 |
| Pre-employment medical and report | £170.00 |
| Pre-employment report only | £115.00 |
| HPC-health reference form | £120.00 |
| Court of protection report only | £120.00 |
| Court of protection report with examination | £200.00 |
| Private GP consultation (per 10 mins) | £60.00 |
| Private Referral Letters | £35.00 |
| 20 mins medical consultation | £120.00 |
| 30 mins medical consultation | £180.00 |
| Private GP home visit for assessment & completion of insurance documentation | £200.00 |
| Private nurse consultation | £40.00 |
| Blood test (Non-diagnostic purpose, e.g., paternity testing) | £50.00 |
| Firearms licence | £150.00 |
Insurance reports
| Insurance reporting – Examination & report | £260.00 |
| Insurance reporting – Extract from records | £70.00 |
| Insurance reporting – GP report for life assurance/income protection applicants | £70.00 |
| Insurance reporting – GP supplementary report for life assurance/income protection | £35.00 |
| Insurance reporting – Proforma report (no examination) | £90.00 |
Travel vaccines
| Men (ACWY) | £50.00 |
| Hep B for occupational health | £30.00 per dose |
Access to Records (Data Protection Act)
| Computerised records | 45p per sheet |
All payments must be made in cash before work begins. Card payments not accepted.
Private Referrals
While Ivel Medical Centre provides NHS services, some patients may choose to access private healthcare. In such cases, patients may require a private referral letter, supporting documentation, or completion of forms for private consultants or insurance providers.
To cover the administrative time and resources required for these requests, the following policy applies.
- Administrative Fee:
A fixed administrative fee of £35.00 (Cash only) will be charged for all private referral requests.
This includes:- Referral letters to private consultants.
- Completion of private hospital or insurance forms.
- Supporting medical documentation for private appointments.
- Payment Requirement:
The fee must be paid in full before the private referral letter or documents are issued. - Conversion from NHS to Private:
If a patient has already been referred under the NHS and later requests to convert this to a private referral, the £35.00 fee will still apply, as this involves additional administrative work and correspondence. - Additional Fees:
In some instances, further charges may apply if the paperwork requested by a private consultant or insurance company requires extended completion time or additional medical input. Patients will be informed of any additional costs in advance.
Payment Process
Patients must submit their private referral or documentation request in writing, addressed to the Admin & Finance Team, and will be contacted to arrange payment prior to the preparation of any documents.
Once a private referral or document has been prepared, the fee is non-refundable. If a request is withdrawn before work begins, a refund may be issued at the practice’s discretion.
Key Notes
- NHS referrals remain free of charge and are not affected by this policy.
- All private referral requests are handled confidentially and processed once payment has been received.
- Private work does not take priority over NHS duties. Please allow up to 4 weeks for completion once payment has been received.
- Failure to make payment will result in the referral or documentation not being completed.
Private tests & prescriptions
- Your private specialist is responsible for arranging and reviewing tests, results, and prescriptions.
- We will not transfer private prescriptions to NHS unless the medication is within NHS guidelines.
Returning to NHS care
- Your private specialist should make the NHS referral.
- You will be treated like any other NHS patient with your condition.
Fit Notes after Private Care
If you need a fit note after private treatment, your private specialist should provide it. Your GP will only issue one if your recovery takes longer than expected.