The NHS does not cover all services provided at this practice. A fee may be payable in accordance with British Medical Association (BMA)
Services Outside the Primary Care NHS Contract
While most NHS care is free, some services fall outside a GP’s NHS contract. As self-employed professionals, GPs may charge for additional services such as letters, reports, or insurance forms. These are classified as private services and may incur a fee. Guidance for practices on what these fees should be is provided by the British Medical Association.
What This Means
- GPs are self-employed and contracted to deliver NHS medical care.
- Requests for extra services (e.g. letters, forms, reports) are not covered by the NHS.
- GPs may charge a reasonable fee for these services.
- In some cases, we may decline requests, especially if the GP hasn’t recently reviewed your situation.
- You may need to book a routine appointment (usually available within a week) before we can proceed.
Non-NHS Services (e.g. Letters, Forms, Reports)
NHS work takes priority, so we may not always be able to complete these requests.
A full list of private services and fees is available below but please note
- We only begin work after receiving proof of payment.
- If we cannot process your request, we will let you know and issue a refund.
- Completion time depends on doctor availability and starts once payment is confirmed.
Non-NHS Services
Examples of private services include:
- Letters for employers or schools
- Insurance claim forms
- Medical reports
- Fitness to travel certificates or letters
Fees & Payment
- These services are not funded by the NHS and will incur a charge.
- A full list of private services and fees is available below.
- There is a non-refundable £5.00 administration charge added to non-NHS work.
- We will only begin work after receiving proof of payment.
- If we cannot complete your request, we will notify you and issue a refund.
Private Services List & Fees – Crown Street Surgery
Completion Time
- Processing begins once payment is confirmed.
- Completion depends on GP availability.
Please Note
- NHS work is our priority. Private requests may take longer but we will inform you of the timescale when first requesting.
- We reserve the right to decline non-NHS requests.
Fit to Fly letters
Most airlines ask for a doctor’s certificate confirming your stage of pregnancy and that you are fit to fly. This certificate can be provided by any GMC-registered doctor, including your GP, obstetrician, or midwife.
You may be able to get the required paperwork directly from your obstetrician or midwife team.
Please check with your airline for their specific requirements.
There is a £30 charge for a GP to provide a fit to fly letter as it is non-NHS work and in some circumstances, we may not be able to provide this. Fitness to fly assessments can be complex and may require specialist training or knowledge especially when advising around patients with underlying chronic health conditions. In some cases, your hospital team may be better suited to provide the necessary details.
Passport and Identity Requests
Please note that we do not provide the following services:
- Confirmation of address, identity, or residence
- Countersigning passport applications
- References of good character
We highlight this to avoid any disappointment. Thank you for your understanding.
Housing Support or Application Letters
We’re unable to provide letters for housing applications—please don’t request these.
- Housing matters are handled by your local council.
- If medical information is needed, the council will send a form directly to your GP (with your written consent).
- You do not need a GP letter to apply for housing on health grounds.
- The council will contact your doctor confidentially if more details are required.
If you have been wrongly advised to request a letter from us, we can provide a note explaining this policy for you to share.
To make a request or ask any questions about non-NHS work please contact reception at the Practice or email us on crownstreetsurgery@nhs.net