Out of Hours
Call Devon Doctors on:
0845 6710 270
Call Devon Doctors on:
0845 6710 270
Sidmouth Health Centre
Blackmore Drive
Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8ET
Phone: 01395 512601
Fax: 01395 578408
Open Monday to Friday
08:15 - 13:00
13:45 - 18:00
Blackmore Drive
Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8ET
Phone: 01395 512601
Fax: 01395 578408
Open Monday to Friday
08:15 - 13:00
13:45 - 18:00
Sidford Branch Surgery
Church Street
Sidford, Devon, EX10 9RL
Phone: 01395 512786
Fax: 01395 513150
Open Monday to Friday
Closed Tuesday Afternoons
08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Church Street
Sidford, Devon, EX10 9RL
Phone: 01395 512786
Fax: 01395 513150
Open Monday to Friday
Closed Tuesday Afternoons
08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
sidvalleyprescriptions@nhs.net
Prescription enquiries:
Any other enquiries:
Private Fees
Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?
Your questions answered.
Isn't the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951, and 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, medical reports for insurance companies.
Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed, and they have to cover their costs - staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc - in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor's costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The Government's contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, 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 be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
·accident/sickness insurance certificates
·certain travel vaccinations
·private medical insurance reports
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
·medical reports for an insurance company
·some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
·examinations of local authority employees
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. You can read more here about BMA suggested fees at:
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/noagreement
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 - the majority work up to 70 hours a week - and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.
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. 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 or even the Police.
What will I be charged?
Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?
Your questions answered.
Isn't the NHS supposed to be free?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951, and 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, medical reports for insurance companies.
Surely the doctor is being paid anyway?
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed, and they have to cover their costs - staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc - in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor's costs.
What is covered by the NHS and what is not?
The Government's contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, 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 be sure that information provided is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:
·accident/sickness insurance certificates
·certain travel vaccinations
·private medical insurance reports
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
·medical reports for an insurance company
·some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
·examinations of local authority employees
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The BMA suggests fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under a GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, these fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. You can read more here about BMA suggested fees at:
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/noagreement
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 - the majority work up to 70 hours a week - and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.
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. 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 or even the Police.
What will I be charged?
| SID VALLEY PRACTICE FEES FOR NON-NHS SERVICES | ||
| Acupuncture Referral - GP recommendation | Report | £30 |
| British Legion Form (electric wheelchair/mobility aids) | £16 | |
| Certificate of Existence | £30 | |
| Character Reference | £16 | |
| Claim forms, BUPA etc | Report | £30 |
| Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) Medical Report | £89 | |
| Coroners Report | Report | £67.50 |
| Extract from records | £30 | |
| Council Tax Discount for Severe Mental Impairment | £15 | |
| Council Tax Discount for Resident in Nursing Home | £20 | |
| Council "Disabled" Parking Bay | £15 | |
| Dance School Medical Questionnaire | £30 | |
| ECG Recording | £70 | |
| ECG Report on Previous Records | £55 | |
| Education Maintenance Allowance Report | £20 | |
| Fitness to attend Private School / University / Sports | Full Medical | £100 |
| Report only | £60 | |
| Extract from records | £30 | |
| Fitness to attend State School | Examination | £30 |
| Report only | £20 | |
| Fitness to partake in school activity holidays | Report | £9 |
| Fitness to travel | Examination and Report | £100 |
| Report only | £30 | |
| Holiday Cancellation Insurance Claim | Report | £30 |
| Housing Report | £20 | |
| Infection - Freedom from Infection Certificate | £9.50 | |
| Jury Service Letter | NO FEE | |
| LighterLife Health Questionnaire | £89 | |
| Medical re DVLA - Elderly Driving Certificate | Full Medical | £100 |
| Certificate only | £60 | |
| Medical re Employment | 1/2 hour | £63.50 |
| 3/4 hour | £95.50 | |
| Medical re HGV, LGV, PCV, Racing Drivers | Full Medical | £100 |
| Report only | £60 | |
| Medical re Incapable of managing affairs (S/S Benefits) | Medical and Report | £37.90 |
| Report only | £7.50 | |
| Medical re Motor Insurance Report re Diabetes | Medical | £95.50 |
| Report only | £32 | |
| Medical re Seatbelt Exemption | Full Medical | £100 |
| Medical re Sports | Medical and Report | £110 |
| Medical re Sidmouth Voluntary Services | Medical | £30 |
| Medical re Taxi Drivers | Medical | £60 |
| Medical Certificate re Meat Hygiene | £15 | |
| Mr Mattress VAT Exemption Certificate | £9 | |
| Ofsted (Child Minders) | Report | £65 |
| Overseas Visitors | Surgery Consultation | £40 |
| Day Visit | £80 | |
| Night Visit | £100 | |
| Pilot's Licence Medical Report | £100 | |
| PMA Report (copy for patient) | Photocopy charges plus | £10 |
| Police Medical History Questionnaire | £35 - £50 | |
| Power of Attorney | Witness | £100 |
| Examination | £100 | |
| Domicillary Visit | £60 | |
| Private Nurse Appointment re Blood Grouping/Tests | Lab costs not included | £15 |
| Private Nurse Consultation | £20 | |
| Private Insurance Sickness Certificate (I certify) | Report | £32 |
| Private Letter Rate (excluding Solicitors and Insurance Companies) | Quarter page | £30 |
| Half page | £60 | |
| Full pages | £110 | |
| 2 pages | £163.50 | |
| Private Letter Rate (Solicitors and Insurance Companies) | Quarter page | £50 |
| Half page | £100 | |
| Full page | £140 | |
| 2 pages | £180 | |
| Private Sick Note | £9 | |
| Private Smear Test | Lab costs not included | £30 |
| Repatriation Form requests from Insurance Companies | £40 | |
| Residential Report to Abbeyfield etc | £25 | |
| Riders and Carriage Drivers form | Report | £9 |
| Shotgun Licence | £16 | |
| Student unfit to take exam | £19 | |
| SWWA Discount for Hospitalised or Nursing Home patients | £20 | |
| Toddler Group - Long Term Care Plan | £30 | |
| Vaccination Certificate | £15 | |
| Witness of Will | £100 | |
| Confirming patient capable of making will | £100 | |
Fees correct as of 11/01/2010. Prices may change at anytime, so please contact to confirm.
Repeat Prescription Request:
sidvalleyenquiries@nhs.net
© Sid Valley Practice
The contents of this web site do not necessarily represent the views or policy of this practice, although they have been produced with the highest integrity to be accurate and beneficial to patients. This practice is not liable for the contents of this website. Links to other web sites are provided for information and convenience and Sid Valley Practice does not endorse any services or commercial products mentioned on these sites. Always consult your own GP if you are concerned about your health.
The contents of this web site do not necessarily represent the views or policy of this practice, although they have been produced with the highest integrity to be accurate and beneficial to patients. This practice is not liable for the contents of this website. Links to other web sites are provided for information and convenience and Sid Valley Practice does not endorse any services or commercial products mentioned on these sites. Always consult your own GP if you are concerned about your health.