Do GP’s have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions such as a GP confirming that a patient is not fit for jury service GP’s DO NOT have to carry out non-NHS work. Many GP’s however will always attempt to assist their patients and carry out this work.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form/letter?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of patients. GP’s have an ever increasing workload of forms which must be prioritised against offering appointments.
Except for rare emergency forms, it takes on an average four weeks for the forms to be completed.
I only need the GP’s signature—what’s the problem?
When a GP signs a certificate, completes a report or writes a letter it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register (which allows them to practice as a doctor) that they only sign what they know to be true.
In order to complete even the simplest of forms the doctor may have to check a patient’s entire medical record.
Who sets the fees and why do different doctors charge different fees?
The BMA suggested fees that may be charged in certain circumstances.
However these are intended for guidance only. Doctors are not obliged to charge the rates suggested by the BMA and the fee levels will generally reflect the amount of work and time involved.
What notice is needed for completion of reports and letters?
To allow the practice to plan the GP’s time 4 weeks’ notice is required although many are completed within this time. Where a patient has an urgent request this should be explained to the receptionist who will note the request however it is not always possible for other more clinically urgent work to be delayed.