Non NHS Services

There are a number of medical reports that we are often asked to complete on behalf of agencies and organisations such as insurance companies or private health providers.

This work is outside of the statutory General Practice contract.

GP’s do not have a contractual obligation to fill in these reports and Ryeland Surgery can only offer this service on a private basis.

Fees

Please note, from 1st April 2024 all requests for private administration services must be paid in full before any administration work is carried out. 

Insurance claim forms requiring medical opinion£50 + VAT
Holiday cancellation forms requiring medical opinion£50 + VAT
Firearms licence applications£50 + VAT
Employment Report£50 + VAT
Lasting Power of Attorney forms£80 + VAT
Lasting Power of Attorney forms requiring a home visit£140 + VAT
Official forms for students specifically to support ongoing education£30 + VAT

Non-urgent advice: Please note

These private services can take up to 30 days to process and no guarantees of a speedy turnaround can be offered. If your request is likely to take longer than 30 days you will be further advised of a likely completion date.

Any such requests for factual information (such as a life insurance application) may be outsourced to iGPR who will liaise with the insurance company directly.

iGPR is accredited by NHS Digital and conforms to the relevant data security standards.

 Sporting or Social Activity Medical Forms

We do not complete any forms to say you are medically fit to take part in any sporting or social activity.  You are able to provide a summary of your own medical history via the NHS App or you will find an alternative private provider to complete the form for you.

Medical Examinations

  • We only carry out DVLA medicals if the DVLA contact us directly requiring information regarding a specific medical condition. We will charge the DVLA, there is no charge to the patient.
  • We also carry out fostering and adoption medicals. It is usual for the Agency to be invoiced directly for this service.
  • We do not carry out private medicals such as HGV, taxi or sports medicals.

For any further information or clarification please speak to our Patient Advisors at Reception.

Seeing a Private Consultant – Key Information

Booking an appointment

Contact the Consultant’s team directly to arrange an appointment. If you have private health insurance, check with your provider for a list of approved specialists.

GP Referral

The consultant may need referral information from your GP, if so, you will need to have discussed this or seen your GP recently to enable them to generate a referral letter.  Please note it may take at least 3 working days for our secretarial team to process the referral letter, which will then be available on your NHS app for you to forward to your private consultant.  If your insurer requires a specific form to be completed, you will be charged for this as it is non-NHS work.

Tests and Procedures

If your private consultant recommends tests or a procedure, they are responsible for:

  • Arranging the test and any medications (e.g., sedation).
  • Explaining how and when you’ll receive the appointment details.
  • Providing and explaining the results of all tests they have requested (not your GP’s responsibility).

All tests must be carried out privately. Your GP cannot organise private tests through the NHS. If you r private consultant suggests this, remind them that all investigations must be arranged privately.

This helps:

  • Avoid delays.
  • Ensure results go to the Consultant.
  • Speed up your care.

Medications

If your private consultant prescribes a new medicine:

  • They must provide the first prescription.
  • Your GP can only continue prescribing it if your private consultant sends a formal typed request.

It may take up to two weeks for GPs to receive and process such letters.
If the medication is not routinely available on the NHS, your private consultant must continue to prescribe it.

Transferring Back to the NHS

You can return to NHS care after private treatment. This must be arranged by your private consultant, not your GP.

The Consultant should:

  • Refer you directly to the relevant NHS clinic.
  • Ensure continuity of care.

Asking your GP to do this causes delays and wastes NHS resources.

Fit Notes (Sick Notes)

If you’re unfit to work after treatment, your private consultant should issue a Fit Note covering the expected recovery period.  You don’t need to contact your GP for this unless your condition unexpectedly worsens or lasts longer.

Follow-Up Appointments

The Consultant will decide whether you need further follow-up or can be discharged.
If a follow-up is needed, your private consultant will arrange it. If you don’t hear anything, contact your private consultant’s office—not your GP.

Questions About Your Care

For any queries, contact your private consultant or their secretary directly.

This information is based on guidance from the

British Medical Association and NHS England.