Private Medicals By Summerhill Surgery
Please contact Reception for further information.
The NHS provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are some exceptions for example: prescription charges for some people, medical reports for insurance companies.
It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self employed and they have to cover their costs, for example, staff, heat and light like any other small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work but not for Non NHS work. The fee charged for Non NHS work therefore goes towards covering these costs.
The Governments contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years more and more organisations have been involving GPs in a wide range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to be involved is because they are in a position of trust in the community or because an insurance company, employer or solicitor wants to be sure that information that you have provided them with is accurate and true.
As an example there will be a charge for medical reports for insurance companies or mortgage applications. Some travel vaccinations can only be provided privately as they are not available on the NHS. Forms that need completing because you have had to cancel your holiday will incur a charge. Questionnaires that need completing for private gyms and private slimming clubs will incur a charge as will a letter that may be required if you want to leave a private gym for health reasons.
The BMA has in the past provided guidance for GPs in setting their fees. This is less common now and GPs are able to set their own fees to ensure that their costs in delivering the services are covered. Time spent completing private reports and undertaking private medical examinations are generally done outside of normal working hours as an extra commitment to a GPs workload.
When a Doctor signs a certificate or a report, they can only sign for what they know to be true and accurate. In order to complete even the simplest of forms the Doctor will need to check the Patients medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the Doctor as well as the patient.
A Doctors priority will always be the care provided for patients under the NHS. The work described here that is non NHS work is often carried out outside of normal working hours and the waiting time is therefore affected. We suggest one week for completion of a report providing the GP who knows you is available. Appointments for private medicals can usually be arranged within a couple of weeks. Appointments for private travel vaccinations with our Practice Nurses can generally be arranged within 2 weeks but a travel health questionnaire will need to be completed in the first instance. Please ask our reception team for further details of appointment times.
Please see the list of charges for the most common services at the top of this page
Payment for services can be made by cash or cheques made payable to ‘Summerhill Surgery’.
A receipt will be provided on all occasions.
