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Travel letter - G.P. trying to charge

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sgg13

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Type 1
I have just returned from my G.P. surgery, where for the first time I have been told that I need to pay for a travel letter. I have to confess that I do not usually bother and have never experienced problems, but I thought that I would try and start doing everything properly.

I have never been charged in the past. The Practice Manager informed me that it is a medical report and therefore they can charge for it.

I think that this may well be direct disability discrimination - we are advised that we should have one and now the G.P. is charging for it - and unlawful under the Equality Act.

Does anyone have any experience of this or advice?

Thanks.
 
sgg13 said:
I have just returned from my G.P. surgery, where for the first time I have been told that I need to pay for a travel letter. I have to confess that I do not usually bother and have never experienced problems, but I thought that I would try and start doing everything properly.

I have never been charged in the past. The Practice Manager informed me that it is a medical report and therefore they can charge for it.

I think that this may well be direct disability discrimination - we are advised that we should have one and now the G.P. is charging for it - and unlawful under the Equality Act.

Does anyone have any experience of this or advice?

Thanks.
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My GP charges, and the first time I got one, she made it date specific to the holiday I was taking.
The way round it, I found, was to ask my diabetes nurse, who happily provided one free of charge, and made it open ended so I can reuse it every time I fly.
 
Got one just a couple of weeks ago - no charge for me and no date stipulations.
 
My first one was free and was a generic one to use for any date. That went walkabout at Manchester airport last year. I asked my GP surgery for another one and they wanted to charge me £30. I kicked up a fuss and I got it for nowt! I have scanned this one and also took a photo of it incase I lose it on holiday. Luckily last year the Greek airport security didn’t ask for it on my return. Good luck.
 
Surgeries are allowed to charge for various letters and documents. My surgery used to have the price list by the reception desk.
 
I work as a secretary in a GP surgery and we now charge for all letters that are not part of routine referral/consultant letters. Unfortunately every single thing has to be accounted for and even if a letter only takes a minute to type it has gone through reception/scanning/GP checking your notes/dictation and finally typing and sending - that is why there is now a charge. Surgeries like schools, hospitals etc have to spend their resources very carefully so anything that is considered ‘extra’ is chargeable.
I’m not saying this is right, just that this is the way it is now. Probably best to ask for an undated one so that you can use it again as the others have said.
 
We got ours from the DSN, no charge and no date on it so can just reprint it and change the date every time.
 
Looks as though it depends on the surgery, so I’d definitely go down the DSN route.

I’ve just checked my very dog eared letter. It’s dated 2007🙄, I wasn’t charged and it doesn’t go into much detail. At the time I remember my gp saying I didn’t need a letter, just to make sure I had copies of my prescription, I guess this is always up to date with all medications...which is always a good idea to take when going away anyway.

Maybe I’ll look into getting it updated. 🙂
 
My DSN will willingly do one with no charge. It's not a medical report just a letter listing the diabetes drugs, needles etc you will be carrying.
 
Sally71 said:
We got ours from the DSN, no charge and no date on it so can just reprint it and change the date every time.
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DaveB said:
My DSN will willingly do one with no charge. It's not a medical report just a letter listing the diabetes drugs, needles etc you will be carrying.
Click to expand...

I’ve also heard that DSNs are the way to go.
 
Well, for sure its not unlawful under the equality act. I always charged for such letters, no matter the condition. It's your option to have a GP letter. I've never used one, just used a prescription if asked. If you were travelling up the Amazon I'd charge you for a Yellow Fever vaccination. A doctor's time costs money. DSN's aren't self employed, so will likely do it for nothing, as others have said.
 
Hello @sgg13 welcome to the forum.🙂 My Dr charges £18 for a letter which I am quite willing to pay, time costs money, the Dr has to dictate the letter and somebody else has to type it on official paper. Although the DSN is very happy to accommodate you, they still have the use of the surgery`s resources, who will pay for that? the taxpayer or you. I have 14 items on prescription every month FOC which I am eternally grateful, please show a little compassion to your surgery after all it is a business under stress, If it has to close were is your nearest one? Nothing personal my friend, its my way of thinking, take care.
 
I've not needed one so have no personal experience. I've heard a couple of stories. I believe one person ask for a letter from their consultant after GP asked for payment.
 
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