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Why do GP’s charge fees? 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 isn’t covered by the NHS, for example, medical reports for insurance companies, claims on private health insurance and other letters and forms which require the doctor to review the patient’s medical records. It is important to understand that GP’s 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 pays the doctor for specific NHS work, but for non NHS work the fee has to cover the doctor’s costs. Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions
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Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their patients
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Evidence for housing applications
Cornwall Council’s Housing Department has confirmed to the LMC that GP letters are not only ‘not necessary’ but are actively rejected as a form of healthcare evidence in support of housing applications from those with a medical/disability problem or experiencing mental health difficulties. Supporting letters from the patient’s hospital consultant are applicable in these circumstances.
Cornwall Council’s Housing Department has confirmed to the LMC that GP letters are not only ‘not necessary’ but are actively rejected as a form of healthcare evidence in support of housing applications from those with a medical/disability problem or experiencing mental health difficulties. Supporting letters from the patient’s hospital consultant are applicable in these circumstances.
Seafarer Medical Examinations (ENG1)
The Marine & Coastguard Agency (MCA) require that any seafarer employed or engaged in any capacity aboard a sea-going ship, to hold a valid certificate (ENG1) attesting to their medical fitness for the work for which they are employed. It is an offence either to work on a sea-going ship without a valid medical fitness certificate, or to employ someone without a valid medical fitness certificate. There are some exemptions to these regulations, based on the type, size and purpose of the vessel. If you are unsure whether you require an ENG1 please contact the MCA Medical Administration Team on 0203 817835.
St Austell Healthcare carry out the ENG1 Medicals at:-
An ENG1 Medical appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.
The cost of an ENG1 Medical is as follows:-
Prior to your ENG1 Medical Appointment you should:-
Please bring along to your ENG1 Medical appointment the following:-
Lost or Stolen Certificates
If you were previously examined by an Approved Doctor and have lost, had stolen or destructed your current certificate, you may explain the circumstances in writing, and it is up to the Approved Doctor to use his judgement in deciding whether to:
An administrative fee of £20.00 will be made for the issue of a replacement certificate, but the full fee of £80.00 will be charged ONLY when a full ENG1 examination is undertaken.
Please note: Duplicate certificates may only be issued to replace those certificates issued by the same Doctor, so an Approved Doctor may not issue a duplicate certificate that was previously issued by another Approved Doctor.
If you would like to book in for an ENG1 Medical please call our main switchboard on 01726 75555.
The Marine & Coastguard Agency (MCA) require that any seafarer employed or engaged in any capacity aboard a sea-going ship, to hold a valid certificate (ENG1) attesting to their medical fitness for the work for which they are employed. It is an offence either to work on a sea-going ship without a valid medical fitness certificate, or to employ someone without a valid medical fitness certificate. There are some exemptions to these regulations, based on the type, size and purpose of the vessel. If you are unsure whether you require an ENG1 please contact the MCA Medical Administration Team on 0203 817835.
St Austell Healthcare carry out the ENG1 Medicals at:-
- Room G6 (ground level) St Austell Healthcare, 1 Wheal Northey, St Austell, Cornwall PL25 3EF
An ENG1 Medical appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.
The cost of an ENG1 Medical is as follows:-
- From 1st November 2018 £95
- From 1st November 2019 £105
- From 1st November 2020 £115
Prior to your ENG1 Medical Appointment you should:-
- Avoid exposure to loud noise for 16 hours before the appointment if audiometry is being carried out;
- have a dental checkup before attending for your ENG1 Medical, if you have not had one in the last year.
- Remove any contact lenses before your appointment so that your eyes are settled for your unaided visual acuity test.
Please bring along to your ENG1 Medical appointment the following:-
- Previous ENG1 Medical Certificate, unless you are a new entrant.
- A form of photo identification e.g. Passport/Discharge Book or other certified photographic proof of identity e.g. Compass Pass.
- Glasses or contact lenses if worn, plus spares.
- Any medication, recent medical letters, discharge notes, sight test results etc. which relate to medical treatment since the last medical.
Lost or Stolen Certificates
If you were previously examined by an Approved Doctor and have lost, had stolen or destructed your current certificate, you may explain the circumstances in writing, and it is up to the Approved Doctor to use his judgement in deciding whether to:
- Re-examine you and issue a new certificate valid from the date of examination; or
- Issue a new certificate bearing the exact details of the missing certificate (based on the duplicate pad copy of the ENG1) and clearly marked as ‘duplicate’.
An administrative fee of £20.00 will be made for the issue of a replacement certificate, but the full fee of £80.00 will be charged ONLY when a full ENG1 examination is undertaken.
Please note: Duplicate certificates may only be issued to replace those certificates issued by the same Doctor, so an Approved Doctor may not issue a duplicate certificate that was previously issued by another Approved Doctor.
If you would like to book in for an ENG1 Medical please call our main switchboard on 01726 75555.
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Time frame for non-NHS work 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. Therefore in order to complete even the simplest of forms, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor, with the General Medical Council or even the Police. Please note, we do not validate/certify Passport or Driving Licence applications due to the personal knowledge required to provide this service. Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his/her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. In addition non-NHS work must be undertaken outside of NHS contracted time. Please note that it can take up to 28 days to complete these reports. |
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. Pre-op assessments If a patient is paying for private treatment then any related pre-op assessment (bloods, ECG, swabs etc.) will also need to be paid for privately. However, if a patient is going overseas or to a private provider to have treatment that is going to be funded by the NHS, then we can provide the pre-op assessment. |
The non-NHS private fees are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.
