Non-NHS services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Insurance claim forms
• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Prescriptions or letters for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Private vaccinations
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales.

Please complete an online form to request one of these services. Payment for these services is taken in advance, this charge is non-refundable.

Letters to Support Benefit Applications, Blue Badges

Please note we are unable to provide letters in support of Benefit Applications.

GPs provide medical care to their patients and are not contracted or resourced to provide letters to confirm housing needs, care needs or to administer the benefits system.

There are contractual and agreed methods for GPs to provide medical information to the Department for Work and Pensions, Local Authority and other agencies. These are sent to the GP practice and GPs respond directly to the departments requesting information.

Proof of ID, Address or Residency letters

Please note we are unable to provide letters as evidence for ID, Address or Residency.

Patients do not need to provide proof of ID, address, or residency to register with a GP. Sidcup Medical Centre does not formally verify or authenticate these, therefore we are unable to provide letters as supporting evidence.

If you are struggling to provide proof of ID, Address or Residency for a specific purpose, we recommend contacting the relevant organisation directly to ask which documents they accept, or their alternative processes.

Further advice may be available from your Local Council and Citizens Advice

Proof of Parental Responsibility 

We are also unable to provide letters as evidence for being a child's parent, or carer.
Proof of parental responsibility includes;

• being named as a parent the on child’s birth certificate
• being named as a parent on adoption papers, or
• a court registered order giving parental responsibility.

Sidcup Medical Centre's assessment of parental responsibility would be based on receipt of a document proving parental responsibility, therefore a letter from the GP has no additional evidentiary value.
Parental rights and responsibilities: Who has parental responsibility - GOV.UK

GP practices are not required or obligated to provide private letters as this falls outside of our NHS contract and takes valuable time away from essential patient care.

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