to think that if you are going to provide private services, you need to provide some semblance of customer service?

[Suprima]

Going to see my family before baby is born. Not an essential trip- but something that I would like to do. I’m 3rd tri pregnant- so went to get a fit to fly letter from my GP. It essentially says ‘Suprima is x weeks pregnant with a single, uncomplicated pregnancy’. They phoned me to say it was ready, and then called me in to pay for it. Completely happy to pay- as my holiday is not an essential and writing the letter takes away NHS time. It was an oddly specific amount, didn’t really think anything of it.

Went to pay for it and to collect it today (30 minute bus journey and a very waddly walk) and was looked at like I had two heads when I offered my phone for them to tap. No contactless? I quickly pulled out my card. Nope- no card machine.

I had a £50 note from some birthday money- but they didn’t carry change and could only accept the precise amount. Waving it off would have meant giving them nearly £20.

I may be hormonal- but if a modern new GP is selling private services (the fit to fly is just part of its catalogue) then it should invest in a bloody iZettle or carry a float of change?!

I’m in central London by the way! Nowhere rural or cashless!

It’s weird, we have had to use the private services of our GP for a few things recently (central London) and they emailed the letters to us then phoned and asked for bank transfer. No credit cards or debit cards accepted.

They have a full fledged private practice alongside the NHS one so are accustomed to billing private patients and have a huge list of private services available so I was sure that it was strictly bank transfer.

But what can you do, we need their services, this is how they want payment so we do it.

I had to pay for a doctors letter by cheque once ! It was about ten years ago, but I did find it odd and cheques are even more rare these days.
I'm sorry they were not more accommodating op. Can they do a bank transfer?

It seems that it’s not an anomaly then!

I just thought I’d have the heads up on the phone that they didn’t take card and couldn’t offer change before I made the journey there. I know some places are cashless but people are paying for some pretty pricey blood tests in weird increments.

Cash only places, no change offered usually always have a big sign up!

GP’s have been charging for these sort of letters for years. Mine charged me £35 20 years ago for insurance purposes when I bought my first house

We don't take cards for private letters. Don't do enough of them to make it worthwhile. Usually have some change knocking around in the petty cash though and if not I think reception would see if any of the doctors had the cash in their wallets to offer change!