GP charges for a letter?

[mixalis]

I recently wrote to my GP asking him to prepare a simple TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN letter for me, confirming a straightforward medical condition that I happen to have. This was such a simple process I enclosed a draft for him to use and an SAE for it's return. I've now received a phone call from his reception telling me that this letter was ready for me to collect, against payment of a £30 fee!!!

Does anyone know if GPs are entitled to make such charges for simply confirming details contained in my medical records? Seems a bit rich to me.

[enaid]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Hi, I do believe that this is classed as a private referral and they can charge as it is not part of the NHS. You should have been advised of this when you took the form in.
Enaid x

[Caspar]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Yes, they are allowed to charge fees for this, passports, shotgun licenses etc... I agree it's a rip off, but sadly it's the only way to get hold of it, so they have you over a barrel.

[shamen]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

If you want confirmation of a diagnosis (and also want to know everything the doctors have ever written about you) do a Subject Access Request. It will show your entire medical file along with any diagnosis.

Some doctors only charge 10 pounds for it, though they can charge up to 50 under law.

[WendyB]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

I think the £50 max charge is to do with if the records are held electronically.

[WendyB]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

What are the fees for accessing medical records (health records)?

[MIKE770]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Was charged GBP15.00 for medical records for a claim.

[calamity jane]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Couple of links explaining

1) what your G.P. can charge for and,

2) suggested fees


Even though you provided your G.P. with a draft, he would still have had to check you records to ensure the information was correct.

Although most surgeries have a list of fees on the waiting room wall, as enaid said you should have been told in advance that there would be a charge for this.


CJ

[di30]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

I understand you can also request for copies of your records like a SAR for the same payment of £10, is that correct folks?

[WendyB]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

yes, I put it in the link in post #6

What are the fees for accessing medical records (health records)?

[di30]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

yes, I put it in the link in post #6

What are the fees for accessing medical records (health records)?

Arh right thanks honey lol

[mixalis]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

I recently wrote to my GP asking him to prepare a simple TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN letter for me, confirming a straightforward medical condition that I happen to have. This was such a simple process I enclosed a draft for him to use and an SAE for it's return. I've now received a phone call from his reception telling me that this letter was ready for me to collect, against payment of a £30 fee!!!

Does anyone know if GPs are entitled to make such charges for simply confirming details contained in my medical records? Seems a bit rich to me.

Many thanks for all the replies on this, looks like I've got to swallow it!
£30 for for about 10minutes work! I'll make sure I get my SAE back though!

[charitynjw]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Also, with a SAR, I believe that the GP can omit/redact any info which he/she feels may be 'distressing' to the patient.

[shamen]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Yeah I heard that also. We recently got a SAR on my wifes medical file and pretty much every note the doctors logged after consultations was redacted!

Is there a mechanism for explaining why or getting that without SAR?

[charitynjw]

Re: GP charges for a letter?

Yes, tricky one, that!

How can you tell if it's gonna cause distress if you don't know what it is?

& knowing that you're not allowed to know could cause even greater distress!

Is ignorance bliss?

It's my own fault - should never have sent that bl**dy SAR!!