How much for a doctors letter?

Cardamom
Cardamom Posts: 127 Forumite
in Health & beauty MoneySaving
Hi,

I just wanted to ask how much you pay for a doctors letter. I have been told by my doctor that it will be £30. Is this what most doctors charge?
«134567

Comments

  • greyhound31
    greyhound31 Posts: 50 Forumite
    I raised this issue on MSE Forum last night. My partner was charged £12 for a doctors letter and £73 for the doctor to fill out some forms. I think its scandalous.
  • Cardamom
    Cardamom Posts: 127 Forumite
    Hi Greyhound,

    I did think that £30 was expensive especially since the letter will be a couple of lines long and typed out by the doctors secretary in about 5 minutes.

    I'm actually thinking of changing doctors, this being the last in a list of problems I've had with them.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,073 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper First Anniversary
    greyhound31 wrote: »
    I raised this issue on MSE Forum last night. My partner was charged £12 for a doctors letter and £73 for the doctor to fill out some forms. I think its scandalous.

    Why? :confused::confused:
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Cardamom
    Cardamom Posts: 127 Forumite
    Sorry, I read greyhounds post as £13 for the form filling.

    £73 for what?!
  • funguy
    funguy Posts: 598 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    Why is it scandalous?. The GP is not paid via the NHS for this work so is allowed to charge for this work just as a lawyer or accountant would charge for their expert time. In my experience, the hourly rates are far lower for doctors than accountants or lawyers or even some plumbers we have had recently!!
  • gizmo111
    gizmo111 Posts: 2,658 Forumite
    Name Dropper Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
    I paid £24.50 for a Dr to fill in a medical form to claim back cancelled holiday.
    Mama read so much about the dangers of drinking alcohol and eating chocolate that she immediately gave up reading.
  • Amiss
    Amiss Posts: 114 Forumite
    greyhound31 wrote: »
    I raised this issue on MSE Forum last night. My partner was charged £12 for a doctors letter and £73 for the doctor to fill out some forms. I think its scandalous.

    £73 is a ridiculous amount!
    I suppose a Dr deserves some financial recompense for services rendered but..was he using gold ink?!:rotfl:
  • funguy
    funguy Posts: 598 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    A lot of forms from certain companies have standard rates which are agreed nationally such as certain medicals, insurance reports, holiday cancellations etc.....so the surgery/GP haav eno choice to charge more or less. Other charges such as simple letters or unusual forms can vary from place to place depending on how long they may take to complete or the amount of reserch work/typing involved which is only fair i guess.

    The government wants a competitive market in GP surgeries so if you dont like, you can move elsewhere just like anything else like banks and supermarkets.
  • funguy
    funguy Posts: 598 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    Amiss wrote: »
    £73 is a ridiculous amount!
    I suppose a Dr deserves some financial recompense for services rendered but..was he using gold ink?!:rotfl:

    How can you comment that it is a ridiculous amount when no one is aware of how much patient data was required and how long it took to complete etc etc. Its like saying £73 is a ridiculous amount to replace tiles on a roof?!?!
  • suki1964
    suki1964 Posts: 14,313 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    So a qualified doctor should have the same rates as say a road sweeper?

    Its private work hes doing, not NHS. You dont like the charges, go find another private doctor. Or do you think the NHS should subsidise GP's for doing private work?

    Decide if you want private or NHS. If you want private dont !!!!! about the charges
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards