GP Private Letter Policy

Overview

From time to time, patients request letters or reports from their GP for various non-NHS purposes, such as letters for employers, schools, housing authorities, travel, or legal matters.

These requests are not part of NHS-funded care and are therefore considered private services, subject to fees and timeframes outlined below.

Requesting a Letter

Please do not make a doctor’s appointment to request a letter, as these will not be completed during a medical consultation.

All requests must be made in writing, and must clearly state:

  • The reason for the letter
  • How this is affecting your social or daily life
  • To whom the letter should be addressed

If you are submitting your request by email, please include:

  • Your full name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your address

Fees

The usual fee for a standard letter is a minimum of £30.
More complex letters or detailed reports may attract a higher fee.

Why There Is a Charge

The cost of these letters and reports is not covered by the NHS.
They are completed during the GP’s own time and involve:

  • Reviewing your medical records to ensure accuracy
  • Dictating and checking the content
  • Administrative processing, typing, and printing

Timescales

Private letters and reports do not take priority over NHS work.
Please allow up to 28 days for any requests to be fulfilled.

Content and Clinical Integrity

  • GPs will write only what is factually accurate and supported by your medical records.
  • Requests for letters containing specific or dictated wording (e.g. “the doctor must write these exact words”) will not be accepted.
  • The GP’s wording and professional opinion are final, and changes will not be made upon request.
  • The GP may refuse or rephrase a letter if it is not clinically appropriate or cannot be supported by evidence.
  • If a patient insists on changing or dictating the contents, the GP will withdraw the offer to complete the letter.

Please remember, the GP is not obliged to write a letter for you, as this is not an NHS service.

Appropriate and Inappropriate Requests

✅ Examples of Appropriate Requests

  • Fitness to travel or cancellation of a holiday
  • Confirmation of medical conditions and/or medication
  • Letters for mitigating circumstances (school, university, employer, or court)
  • Letters for council or housing purposes

❌ Examples of Requests We Cannot Fulfil

  • Confirmation of address, ID, or residence (we cannot verify this)
  • Countersigning passport applications
  • Statements not supported by your medical record

Requests Related to Benefit Claims

If you are requesting a letter to support a benefit claim, you may have more success by following official benefits guidance and providing detailed evidence yourself.

Benefit appeal decisions are based on comprehensive evidence, not GP letters.
If more information about your health or medical conditions is required, the relevant organisation (e.g. DWP) will write directly to your GP with specific questions.

Summary of Key Points

AreaPolicy
Service typePrivate (non-NHS)
FeeFrom £30
SubmissionWritten request only
Processing timeUp to 28 days
Doctor discretionGP may refuse or rephrase content
No patient editingGP’s wording is final

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