Fees for non-NHS services

Southmead Private Fees 2024

Cash, or debit card only.

Before submitting a form or a request it is worth reading about some important considerations which act as a checklist and can save you time.

• Always confirm the fee, timescales and that the non-NHS work will be completed before you hand any documents to the practice.
• Don’t book an appointment with your GP to complete forms without confirming your GP will complete such a form and checking whether you actually need to book an appointment to have the form completed (as this maybe an unnecessary appointment).
• Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight. NHS work will always take priority and so there is no guarantee non-NHS work will be completed before our set timescale guidance.
• Not all documents need a signature by a doctor and can be done by other professionals. Please check the form and accompanying guidance as you may get a quicker and cheaper response that way.
• Remember if you access your records online (see under online access to your records), you can print out a copy of your notes including your medication and this may suffice for a number of requests and is free.
• If you are told you need a letter of support from your GP by another organisation always challenge the necessity and value of such a letter as in many cases it can be unnecessary bureaucracy for us (despite any fee we charge) with little value to you.

If you are off less than 7 days

You will be charged a fee by us if you request a private sick note for less than 7 days. However, this is unnecessary, and your employer should not request one unless they are concerned about repeated illness.

As Gov UK suggests
“If employees are off work for 7 days or less, they do not need to give their employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a medical professional. When they return to work, their employer can ask them to confirm they’ve been off sick. This is called ‘self-certification’. The employer and employee will agree on how the employee should do this. They might need to fill in a form or send details of their sick leave by email.”
“Taking sick leave” Gov.UK website. Retrieved 14 February 2023

If you are off longer than 7 days

A sick note is free if you are off longer than 7 days.

For further information, including a link to more detailed information and how you can get a sick note, see under

• Get a Fit/ Sick note

The British Medical Association have set out common questions asked of GP practices about non-NHS work.

• Why does my doctor charge fees?

From the British Medical Association
Intended for GP practices but provides insight into the steps required by a GP practice.

• Dealing with fees for non-NHS report request