Private work is work that is undertaken by the practice, but this is not funded within the core NHS contract. To process these requests, the practice takes time away from NHS work, therefore this work is chargeable. Examples of private work are insurance reports, medical reports for travel insurance claims and firearms licensing requests. Private reports are assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be charged based on the duration the report takes to process, unless it is a report where there is a fixed fee such as firearms licensing. GPs are no longer considered an appropriate referee for Passports and Visa work; therefore, we cannot undertake this work.
GPs are unable to undertake the ‘fitness to undertake’ activities such as parachuting and sports events overseas, however there are a variety of private providers searchable online who will undertake this work for you. Due to prioritisation of NHS work, the practice does not currently undertake HGV licensing reports. Referral letters to private providers for medical assessments are funded within the NHS contract and do not attract a fee. Private providers will often arrange review without the need for a referral letter nowadays, and we would appreciate patients confirming this with their provider before approaching the surgery.
Solicitors’ requests.
Solicitors at times may avoid seeking a ‘Medical Report’ and ask for a copy of your whole medical record as a ‘Subject Access Request’ to avoid private report fees. In doing this, there is a potential breach of your GDPR rights in that any data requested by a Third Party should be proportionate to the need related to that request. Giving your whole medical record to a Third Party may result in disclosure of confidential and sensitive information from your record to the Solicitor and their staff which is not relevant to their specific need. Please consider this carefully if a Solicitor asks you to consent to them obtaining a copy of your medical record under the ‘Subject Access Request’ rules. A Subject Access Request for an entire medical record can also be a considerably more time-consuming process than requesting a focused Medical Report. The record may need to be collated, reviewed and appropriately redacted before it can be disclosed. This can potentially delay the Solicitor receiving the specific information they require, particularly where their request relates to a particular injury, episode of care or defined time period. A focused Medical Report may therefore allow the relevant information to be provided more directly and proportionately, while reducing the risk of unrelated confidential information being disclosed.
Firearms Certificates and Licenses
Firearms Certificates and other associated licenses are applied for via Derbyshire Constabulary Home | Derbyshire Constabulary > apply or register.
Applicants are required to provide Health and Medical information with their request. Applicants must download the GP Proforma from the Derbyshire Constabulary website, complete their details, and bring this by hand to the surgery, where payment will be collected in order for the request to be processed by the GP within 30 days of receipt. Please note, this is subject to change due to clinical priorities and absences.