Private letters and reports (Non NHS work) – Information for patients and third parties
Patients regularly request letters from their GP for a number of reasons and our doctors are frequently asked to provide private or ‘To Whom it May Concern’ letters or reports for third parties. These letters and reports are not provided for under the Primary Care Services contract (GMS). GPs may agree to do these letter or reports at their discretion, but this is a private service and incurs a fee.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Private letters and reports do not take priority over GMS (NHS) work and are completed during the GPs own time. Letters and reports require the doctor to take time to review a patient’s medical records to ensure that the information provided is correct. Due to the pressures and General Practice workload as well as the volume of request for private letters and reports that we receive on a weekly basis, it may take up to 28 days for private letters to be completed.
We reserve the right to suspend or extend processing times for private/Non NHS work at any time due to busy periods.
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.
In order to complete even the simplest of forms therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Inaccurate reports can have serious consequences.
Fees
You will be notified of the fee, prior to the work being carried out and asked to confirm if you wish to proceed.
We can accept cash or cheques, we are unable to take card payments.
How to request a private letter or Report:
We can only accept requests in writing. Please request any private letter via email (reception.Z00283@gp.hscni.net) or leave handwritten request or report forms in at reception.
Examples of non NHS services include the following:
-
Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.) - Insurance claim forms
- Private sick notes