At Oswald Medical Centre, we undertake a variety of non-NHS work to support our patients. This includes providing reports or letters to third parties requiring information about your health. These services are separate from NHS clinic time and may incur a charge.
We acknowledge that patients and organisations action on patients' behalf often approach their GP for these services, as GPs are generally regarded as being in a position of trust and best placed to provide such information. While we sometimes provide these services, alternative providers are also available. Under no circumstances does the practice promote these services to patients, and any information provided here is for guidance purposes only.
Below is an outline of the types of non-NHS work we complete:
1. Subject Access Requests (SARs):
A Subject Access Request allows individuals to access their personal health records. We do not charge for the initial SARs. However, as outlined by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), if multiple SARs are requested within an 18-month period, a fee may apply for subsequent requests. You can find more information on this on the ICO website. Due to the size of the document and to ensure the security of the information, completed SARs will only be sent via email.
2. Medical Reports:
These are detailed reports requested by third parties (such as insurance companies) about your health. Any information provided in the request will be carefully validated by the GP by reviewing the patient’s medical records to ensure accuracy. The GP will review your medical history, including GP notes, hospital letters, and lab results, before preparing the report. Fees apply for this service.
3. Statement of Facts Letters:
These letters are used to confirm specific details about your medical history (such as ongoing treatment, diagnoses, or health conditions). Fees are charged for this service.
4. Brief Summary Requests:
These are short summaries of your medical history or health status for a variety of purposes. These requests are free of charge.
Important Information Regarding Non-NHS Work:
- Fees: Subject Access Requests and Brief Summary Requests are free of charge. However, if multiple SARs are requested within an 18-month period, a fee will apply as outlined above. Other non-NHS work (Medical Reports and Statement of Facts Letters) is chargeable. We recommend inquiring about our fees before making any requests or checking the attached document.
- Processing Time:
- Subject Access Requests (SARs) and Brief Summary Requests: These requests have a 30-day timeframe for completion.
- For other non-NHS work, unfortunately, we cannot provide a specific timeframe for completion. Our GPs process these requests outside their NHS clinical hours, and the time it takes can vary depending on how much work is currently being requested.
- GP Obligations: Please note that GPs are not obligated to complete non-NHS work (such as, Medical Reports and Statement of Facts letters) as part of their NHS duties and may charge a fee for providing these reports or letters.
- Review Process: GPs must review the contents of each request, ensure patient consent is provided, and ensure relevant legislation (e.g., Access to Medical Reports Act, Data Protection Act, or Access to Health Records Act) is followed. The GP will review necessary documentation (e.g., notes, letters, results) to ensure accuracy.
We will do our best to complete your request as quickly as possible, but please understand that non-NHS work can take time to process.
Accessing Your Information Through the NHS App:
In many cases, you may be able to access your medical information more quickly and conveniently via the NHS App. The NHS App allows patients to view certain elements of their medical records, including test results, prescriptions, and appointment details. If you haven't already, we encourage you to download and explore the NHS App, as it could be a quicker and more efficient way to access your information.
Please note: We do not provide reports or letters for certain activities, such as firearms licenses or fit-to-fly certificates. In these cases, you may be directed to a private provider.
For more information regarding Non-NHS Work, you can visit the BMA website.