The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients, including the provision of ongoing medical treatment. 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.
The BMA (British Medical Association) suggest fees for non-NHS work which is not covered under GP’s NHS contract, to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees are guidelines only, not recommendations, and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates suggested. The BMA recommends that GPs tell patients and third parties in advance if they will be charged, and how much. It is up to the individual doctor to decide how much to charge.
- Please contact reception for further information on the services we provide and their respective prices.
FAQs
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.
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, so many GPs find they have to complete this work outside of and in addition to their normal hours.
As a result, this additional work can take up to 50 working days to complete.
Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to complete this work outside of and in addition to their normal hours.
As a result, this additional work can take up to 50 working days to complete.
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.
Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, 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 doctors’ regulatory body, the GMC (General Medical Council) or even the police.
Therefore, in order to complete even the simplest of forms, 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 doctors’ regulatory body, the GMC (General Medical Council) or even the police.
Can my GP undertake a Capacity Assessment and / or authorise a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) application?
GPs are often asked to make Mental Capacity Assessments for patients. These assessments can be requested for a variety of different reasons. It is an essential part of a GPs role to perform capacity assessments which relate to decisions regarding medical investigations, treatment and care.
However, capacity assessments relating to overall welfare, finances and property are often more complex and sit outside of their expertise. Decisions such as whether someone’s house is sold or how their life savings are spent can depend on capacity assessments. It is therefore essential that adequate time and attention is dedicated to these assessments. It is also essential that those carrying out these assessments for legal purposes are highly trained and experienced in this area.
Due to the above and that these legal capacity assessments do not fall within the NHS duties of GPs, we are unable to undertake these capacity assessments at the Practice. However, there are other professionals who can perform mental capacity assessments including solicitors and psychiatrists.
However, capacity assessments relating to overall welfare, finances and property are often more complex and sit outside of their expertise. Decisions such as whether someone’s house is sold or how their life savings are spent can depend on capacity assessments. It is therefore essential that adequate time and attention is dedicated to these assessments. It is also essential that those carrying out these assessments for legal purposes are highly trained and experienced in this area.
Due to the above and that these legal capacity assessments do not fall within the NHS duties of GPs, we are unable to undertake these capacity assessments at the Practice. However, there are other professionals who can perform mental capacity assessments including solicitors and psychiatrists.
I have been asked to obtain a letter for my DWP application, can this be completed by the practice?
For any DWP applications (PIP, Blue Badge, etc.) a patient summary is provided in the first instance. If required DWP will contact the practice directly for a detailed report. The practice is unable to write a letter on your behalf unless your application has gone to the appeal stage.
Can I submit a request on behalf of another patient?
Due to patient confidentiality, the practice is only able to discuss and action any request from either the patient, their parent / legal guardian or any person(s) with a legally valid Lasting Power of Attorney for Health & Welfare (LPA).
Proof of any LPA will be required before any work is undertaken. This proof must either be from the original signed and court-stamped document or by allowing the practice access to your LPA entry on the Online LPA register.
Proof of any LPA will be required before any work is undertaken. This proof must either be from the original signed and court-stamped document or by allowing the practice access to your LPA entry on the Online LPA register.
Can I see the Health Records of somebody who has died?
The Access to Health Records Act 1990 gives certain people a right to see the health records of somebody who has died. These people are defined under section 3(1)(f) of that act as ‘the patient’s personal representative and any person who may have a claim arising out of the patient’s death’.
You can obtain more information by visiting the Health Records pages: NHSInform.
Criteria for Access
The Access to Health Records Act, 1990 lays down strict guidance on what personal information can be provided to a third party regarding a deceased patient. Our application form has therefore been designed to provide us with sufficient information to ensure that we only provide access to those who are legally entitled to receive this.
The Act gives certain people a right to see the health records of somebody who has died. These people are defined under section 3(1) (f) of that Act as:
– The patient’s personal representative. This will be the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate.
– Any person who may have a claim arising out of the patient’s death.
If you meet the criteria outlined above and wish to access someone’s records you should contact reception.
We would like to draw your attention to the following points:
– Next of kin have no automatic right of access to these records;
– Individuals meeting the criteria above will be required to provide proof, e.g., a copy of the will naming an executor or a letter from a solicitor regarding a claim;
– The Act only allows access to records recorded after 1 November 1991;
– You may not be able to see information which could cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, or anyone else’s;
– You may not be able to see information which could identify another person (except members of NHS staff who have treated the patient), unless that person gives their permission;
– You won’t be able to see the records of someone who made it clear that they didn’t want other people to see their records after their death.
Response time
We will deal with your request as quickly as possible. If we have any problems getting your information, we will keep you up to date on our progress.
Points to consider
Accessing health records and information is an important matter. Releasing information may in certain circumstances cause distress. You may want to speak to an appropriate health professional before filling in the form.
If you would like to apply to obtain the records of a deceased patient, please inform us via the Private Work Form, paying close attention to the criteria outlined above.
You can obtain more information by visiting the Health Records pages: NHSInform.
Criteria for Access
The Access to Health Records Act, 1990 lays down strict guidance on what personal information can be provided to a third party regarding a deceased patient. Our application form has therefore been designed to provide us with sufficient information to ensure that we only provide access to those who are legally entitled to receive this.
The Act gives certain people a right to see the health records of somebody who has died. These people are defined under section 3(1) (f) of that Act as:
– The patient’s personal representative. This will be the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate.
– Any person who may have a claim arising out of the patient’s death.
If you meet the criteria outlined above and wish to access someone’s records you should contact reception.
We would like to draw your attention to the following points:
– Next of kin have no automatic right of access to these records;
– Individuals meeting the criteria above will be required to provide proof, e.g., a copy of the will naming an executor or a letter from a solicitor regarding a claim;
– The Act only allows access to records recorded after 1 November 1991;
– You may not be able to see information which could cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, or anyone else’s;
– You may not be able to see information which could identify another person (except members of NHS staff who have treated the patient), unless that person gives their permission;
– You won’t be able to see the records of someone who made it clear that they didn’t want other people to see their records after their death.
Response time
We will deal with your request as quickly as possible. If we have any problems getting your information, we will keep you up to date on our progress.
Points to consider
Accessing health records and information is an important matter. Releasing information may in certain circumstances cause distress. You may want to speak to an appropriate health professional before filling in the form.
If you would like to apply to obtain the records of a deceased patient, please inform us via the Private Work Form, paying close attention to the criteria outlined above.
What can I do to help?
Not all documents need a doctor’s signature, such as passport applications. You can ask another person in a position of trust to sign such documents free of charge. As a result, we are unable to process these applications, including passports.
If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if they are prepared to complete them at the same time. Please note, that an individual fee may still apply for each form, etc.
Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may incur an additional fee. Please note, we may not always be able to expedite your form.
In addition, online access by a patient may be able to provide the information required to complete your request. This is a free service for all registered patients.
If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if they are prepared to complete them at the same time. Please note, that an individual fee may still apply for each form, etc.
Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may incur an additional fee. Please note, we may not always be able to expedite your form.
In addition, online access by a patient may be able to provide the information required to complete your request. This is a free service for all registered patients.