GP charging for a service they failed to provide?

tuwile

I'm a long-time user of the site but never the forums, so firstly I'd just like to say hello to everyone.

In order to take part in a PADI diving course, I'm required to have a medical form signed by my doctor due to a medical condition. The fee my GP charges for this is £40. I have only just registered with the surgery and so I said to the receptionist that I would probably have to see the doctor beforehand as he would not have access to my medical records, however she told me that they did have my records and that it wouldn't be a problem. So I handed over the form and the £40.

When I went to collect the form the following day, the receptionist handed it over without a word. When I read the declaration it read:

"I am unable to recommend this individual for diving due to a gap in our records."

Is it right that they are charging me for this? Surely if they couldn't assess my medical condition because they didn't have my records, they should have just called me. If a plumber comes to your house to do a job but forgets his tools, then that's his problem, not yours. I've left a complaint with the practice manager and I'm awaiting a response. What can I do to get my money back?

Anihilator

tuwile wrote: »

I'm a long-time user of the site but never the forums, so firstly I'd just like to say hello to everyone.

In order to take part in a PADI diving course, I'm required to have a medical form signed by my doctor due to a medical condition. The fee my GP charges for this is £40. I have only just registered with the surgery and so I said to the receptionist that I would probably have to see the doctor beforehand as he would not have access to my medical records, however she told me that they did have my records and that it wouldn't be a problem. So I handed over the form and the £40.

When I went to collect the form the following day, the receptionist handed it over without a word. When I read the declaration it read:

"I am unable to recommend this individual for diving due to a gap in our records."

Is it right that they are charging me for this? Surely if they couldn't assess my medical condition because they didn't have my records, they should have just called me. If a plumber comes to your house to do a job but forgets his tools, then that's his problem, not yours. I've left a complaint with the practice manager and I'm awaiting a response. What can I do to get my money back?

Why was there a gap?

If its there mistake then tell them to sort it and issue a correct certificate.

If there is genuinely a gap in your records that is outwith there control then of course they can charge. It isnt there fault it isnt what you wanted to hear.

tuwile

The gap was because I have been registered with another GP for the past year.

The issue is that I was told it wouldn't be a problem. If they'd told me it was going to be a problem, I wouldn't have paid.

Ivory_Tinkler

Surely the fault lies with your last GP for leaving this gap? When I recently changed surgery my records were transferred from the last GP without any issues. You can hardly expect your new GP to recommend that you can dive if he/she is missing a full years worth of records - if something went wrong during your dive that GP would be hauled over the coals so in my opinion, your new GP has done the right thing.

How about getting in touch with your old GP, ask them to update the records and forward the details to your new GP and then ask for the report?

tuwile

It can take a few weeks for the records to be transferred unfortunately, I could have left it a few weeks before asking for the form to be signed but the receptionist told me they had them already. Obviously she was mistaken, but I fail to see how that's my responsibility.

I think the right thing to do would have been to tell me he couldn't do the assessment because he didn't have my complete records, rather than charge me forty quid and fill the form in anyway. Especially considering I raised the issue with them before I handed my money over.

Ivory_Tinkler

I think you need to speak to the practice manager. Sounds like crossed wires to me...the receptionist must have thought that the records were there for some reason but then, as you say, the last part was missing and she didn't realise when she spoke with you. Maybe a nice little chat with the practice manager might get you an updated report, when the records are completely transferred, for no extra charge. It's worth putting to them anyway?

tuwile

I think that's a good idea, I left a message earlier but is was just after 5pm so hopefully she'll get back to me sometime over the next week or so. I don't need the form to be signed urgently at least.

Thanks for the advice

Morty_007

I woulkd speak to the prac manager too. If they don't have the records they shouldn't agree to to the deed.

pendulum

I reckon the fairest thing is that they agree to reassess you for free once they have the correct records. That's what I would ask them to do.

£40 to check a folder or something and see that your records aren't there, good work if you can get it eh?

moonrakerz

tuwile wrote: »

The issue is that I was told it wouldn't be a problem. If they'd told me it was going to be a problem, I wouldn't have paid.

How are they supposed to know there is a problem with your records without checking them ??

You paid for something to be done - they did it - just because it wasn't the answer you wanted doesn't justify you claiming that they have charged you for something they didn't do !

tuwile

The receptionist checked my records were there before I paid. They are stored electronically.

I paid for the doctor to make an assessment, he couldn't make that assessment because of the gap in my records and therefore should not have proceeded anyway.