What To Expect

Types of requests we handle

Requests may include:
• Referrals (for NHS or private medical investigations or treatment)(usually no charge)
• Insurance claim forms or other letters/reports for insurers or third-parties
• Fit-to-work / fit notes (“sick notes”) or medical certificates (usually no charge)
• Licence-related forms or certificates (e.g. firearms licences, driving/occupational licences, HGV/PSV, etc.)
• Other non-NHS paperwork (e.g. private-medical reports, travel or work-related medical letters).

Under guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA), some  of these tasks count as “non-NHS work” or private-work — they are not part of what our GP practice is contracted by the NHS to provide.

Why these requests take time — and may attract a fee

• When a GP signs or completes a certificate or report, they must ensure that everything is true and accurate — which may require reviewing your full medical record. Even what appears a “simple” request can therefore take significant GP time.
• Because this kind of private / non-NHS work often falls outside the NHS contract, GPs are not obliged to carry it out. Some requests may only be undertaken if there is capacity.
• When the practice agrees to handle private-work requests, a fee may apply — often based on the time involved (e.g. 15, 30, or 45–60 minutes) depending on the nature or complexity of the form or report.
• Because GP workload is already high, these requests are often completed outside standard surgeries — for example in evenings or on weekends when GPs may have capacity.

Typical timing — what you should expect (and not expect)

Request type	What we aim to do	Typical timeframe*
Routine referrals (e.g. for private investigations)	Review clinically; issue referral if appropriate	Depending on workload and demand, may take several days to a week (or longer depending on clinician availability).
Forms/reports for insurance, licences, private documentation, etc.	Review medical record, complete the form/report, obtain signature/consent if needed	Because this is non-NHS work, turnaround depends heavily on workload. Expect up to 2–4 weeks. For complex cases or busy periods, sometimes longer.
Urgent requests (urgent referrals, time-sensitive documentation)	We will try to prioritise if clearly clinically or practically urgent	We will assess urgency case-by-case. If appropriate, we will expedite — but cannot guarantee same-day turnaround.

*These are expectations, not guarantees. Delays may occur if demand on the practice is high, or if a request requires significant review.

What we commit to — and how you can help

We will:
• Treat each request fairly and assess it appropriately.
• For referrals: decide whether it is clinically indicated and we will let you know if further assessment is needed prior to a referral being made or written
• For non-NHS paperwork: confirm what is required and let you know whether we can complete it.
• Be transparent if there will be a fee, and that it may need to be settled before work begins.
• Process accepted requests as soon as capacity allows — while prioritising NHS clinical work and safe patient care.

You can help by:
• Submitting requests clearly and as early as possible (ideally with all documentation provided at once). Please make sure that you have filled in all parts of the form that the applicant is required to do and have provided us with any additional information in a separate note or email, for example dates of travel and dates and details of the illness that has prevented travel .

Allowing us to see the forms to be filled in so that we can  confirm whether this needs a physical examination, an idea of the turnaround time and the cost from our private services list.• Letting us know if something is urgent — and explaining why (e.g. insurer deadline, licence deadline etc).

• Please note that a private clinic offering a next-day appointment for a routine procedure does not make it clinically urgent. You should arrange private appointments with realistic timeframes to allow us time to prepare the referral.

• Being patient with the time required, especially during busy periods.
• Checking with your provider/insurer/licence-issuer whether a GP signature is strictly required — sometimes they accept alternative documentation or do not need a GP referral at all.

Why we can’t promise “instant” fulfilment for all requests

• Private-care or non-NHS requests (referrals, letters, forms, reports, etc.) represent additional work beyond our NHS obligations. Fast-tracking every request would strain GP capacity and affect NHS care.
• What appears to be a quick form may require careful review of the medical record. For legal and professional responsibility reasons, GPs must ensure accuracy — especially where the information affects insurance, employment or legal status (e.g. firearms licence).
• Because non-NHS work is not funded by the NHS, it may incur a fee, and we will only proceed once this is agreed