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Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.
The NHS provides most healthcare services to patients for free, however, prescriptions for most individuals require a set fee unless exempt. You might be exempt from paying your prescriptions due to your annual income, if you are over 60, are under 16 or are between the ages of 16 and 18 and in full-time education. You can find out more about prescription fee exemptions on the NHS website.
The Government covers medical services to NHS patients, however, does not cover all GP fees. This is because GPs are not employed by the NHS but are considered self-employed. This means they have to cover the costs of hiring staff, electricity bills for the surgery and other general building costs.
Examples of non-emergency NHS services include the following:
If you have any questions regarding non-emergency NHS services, please contact us at reception at 0161 368 3312 or email us at gmicb-tameside.brooke@nhs.net.
The British Medical Association suggests costs that GPs can charge their patients for private clinic services. This is taken as guidance and helps GPs to set their medical fees, however, are not obliged to follow.
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.
A doctor has to check over a patient’s full medical record, therefore can take time. It’s important that the doctor reads through your record carefully, and this is often done outside of their surgery opening times.
All forms received for completion by your GP are classed as ‘private work’. The GPs NHS work takes priority and we are unable to give a timescale for the completion of the form.
When leaving the form at reception, the receptionist will make a note of your contact details and you will be contacted by an administrator when your form is ready for collection. A fee is payable at the GP’s discretion on collection of the form.
In most cases, we aim to tell the patient prior to treatment that there will be a charge.