I need a letter from GP. Do I have to pay for it?

[ssaw2012]

We need to launch an appeal and to include medical evidence. I have heard that GP surgeries may charge for letters but I also heard that they should not charge for it. Is it up to the surgery or do they comply with one rule nationally?

Thank you for your responses.

[fubbsy]

It is up to the surgery, there is no national rule. Mine charges £20.

[DeepRedBetty]

Ours charges if the letters are for claims etc. Are you using a claims lawyer? The cost of the GP's professional services in this instance can probably be added in.

[ssaw2012]

The letter is needed to support infant size appeals. Would not have liked to pay that much.

[DeepRedBetty]

Oh, thought it was a medical claim. I think you may have to suck it up. Find out from your own surgery.

[AuntieStella]

GPs can charge for anything that isn't primary health care in UK. So I think they coukd charge for a letter about a schools place.

The thing you need to major on is getting an effective letter, not the cost (set that against the value of the place, if it makes you feel better about the spending). The letter needs to say more than just "child X has condition Y" or "Ms X says her DC needs school Y". It needs to say "In my professional opinion, child X requires school Y (or school which has specified facilites/expertise) because of these factors (add medical detail as to why these factors are important)". The GP needs to specify the school, or characteristics that apply clearly only to that school (eg withing walking radius, on one floor, proven expertise in managing Y etc).

[ssaw2012]

Thank you AntieStella. If we get letter like that then at least it can justify the costs. One we had to ask for a letter and they were pain in one place. Charged £20 but managed to make mistakes again and again.