Non NHS Services

Doctors are often asked by patients to complete forms, reports and certificates for various reasons, which may or may not require physical examination.  Examples include medicals for HGV or PSV licenses, or fitness for occupation, travel or sporting activities.  These are normally non-NHS services.

From time to time the doctor will be asked to provide a letter to a firm/individual.  We no longer do 'to whom it may concern' letters, so any request must be accompanined by full details of the recipient.

Please help us by completing all of your personal information (eg name, address, date of birth, etc.) on any paperwork before giving it to Reception.

If a physical examination is required, this can often take at least thirty minutes, so a special appointment is required, usually outside normal consulting hours.  Please arrange this with Reception.

It will take up to 14 days to complete such paperwork

Most of these private examinations and reports do not come under the NHS and carry a fee which must be paid at the time the request is made. 

If you or your employer require a 'Fit Note' before the regulation number of  consecutive days have elapsed it will be treated as a Private Sick Note and the appropriate fee is payable.

Please contact Reception on 01388-817777 for an appointment and to confirm the current level of fees payable which are normally payable in advance.

Updated: 07/07/2025

If you contact the Practice to request a DVLA/HGV/Taxi Medical please can you complete all the patient information sections prior to attending the appointment.  You must also arrange an optician appointment for completion of the 'vision' section.  

For this type of form the fee of £120 can be paid on day of appointment rather than up front.

Updated:  11/07/2025

Fitness to fly assessments can be complex and may require specialist training or knowledge especially when advising around patients with underlying chronic health conditions. GPs are not trained or indemnified to ascertain a patient’s fitness to fly and this does not come under the remit of our General Medical Services contract held by the NHS or our expertise as General Practitioners (GPs).

There are specialist private clinics that can undertake these assessments and provide necessary certificates. These are often the fastest and most reliable option. Prices typically range from £30 to £150, depending on the provider and urgency.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority states:

‘Most airlines have medical advisors who advise and clear passengers as fit to fly. The final decision on whether or not to carry a passenger is that of the airline.'

Given the information requested by the airlines, the advice issued by the GMC, BMA and Medical Defence providers, we are unable to issue letters/certificates stating patients are ‘fit to fly’. Assessing whether someone can fly calls outside our area of expertise.

For further information, please see the health pages on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website. (caa.co.uk)

Added:  10/07/2025