NON NHS EXAMINATIONS AND SERVICES

Private Fees

Important Message

Covid-19 - Important Information

The Doctors at French Weir Health Centre have been receiving numerous requests from patients asking for letters of support. We understand that this is often because patients are worried about having a pre-existing condition and so are concerned that they are more at risk from the virus, but the preparation of these letters is not covered by the NHS and as such they are therefore putting additional pressures on already stretched NHS services. 

Following NHS England's advice, French Weir Health Centre is currently declining all requests from patients for letters regarding amendments or cancellations to travel arrangements due to Covid-19, return to work letters and face-mask / coverings exemption certificates.

Please follow the link  for up-to-date FCO advice.

GOV.UK advice regarding safe travel and face coverings during the pandemic.

Thank you

There are some services which are not provided by the NHS and for which Patients will be charged a fee.

What is non-NHS work and why is there a fee?

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 because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies, solicitors or employers.

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients but not non-NHS work. It is important to understand that many 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.

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.

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, 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. Our GPs do non-NHS work out of NHS time at evenings or weekends so that NHS patient care does not suffer.

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 (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.

If you are a new patient we may not have your medical records so the doctor must wait for these before completing the form.

Please allow up to 14 working days for these requests to be completed.

A list of the more common services for which a fee will be charged is shown below together with the current charge. This list is not exhaustive so please ask if the service you require is NOT listed.

Please be advised GP's can no longer countersign passport applications.