Our Policy relating to non-NHS or Private Work

Letters in support of blue badge applications or freedom passes should be made on a separate form – please ask at reception (we will be adding these to our website in due course).

We do not do the following:

• Verification of photographs for driving licences, passports, etc.

• Passport forms.

• Character references, e.g. for a firearms licence.

• Employment references.

Doctors are paid by the NHS to provide medical services to patients.  Private letters for patients are not paid for by the NHS and that is why doctors charge for them.  Doctors are not obliged to do these letters.

Examples of such letters include:

• Sickness letters for missed exams

• Reports for Blue Badge and Freedom Pass applications

• Fitness to exercise certificates

The charge for your letter will depend on the time it takes the doctor to examine your medical records and then to write the letter.

Our primary obligation is to perform our NHS work of treating the medical needs of our patients.  Your letter will therefore only be done after the doctor has dealt with his/her NHS work.

We generally manage to complete private work within 28 days of the request.

We may decline to do your letter if:

• There is no evidence in your medical record to support the purpose of your request.

• There is not enough time to do it owing to the pressure of NHS work.