I am not sure if anyone can offer any advice here as there appears to be little information available now with regards to this matter.

I have recently received an invoice for a GP report for £186.75 considering I have only asked for a synopsis of the individuals medical condition and their long term prognosis. I am finding this cost a little extreme, most other GP's within the area charge between £40 and £80 depending on the depth of the report required.

When I contacted the surgery to argue my cases for a reduction in the cost she informed me that they had decided on the cost following the BMA guidelines (which I thought no longer existed for local authorities) I pointed out this fact to her and she quite adamantly informed me they do exist and that they have been using the BMA Guidelines for several months now. The practice manager was pretty defensive in my questioning of the costs for this GP report and offered little in order to justify the cost. Even if they are referring to the old guidelines this is still excessively over the suggested fees so I am confused as to what guidelines they are referring to.
I did also inform the practice manager that the report was not being requested for insurance purposes.

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of these guidelines if they do indeed exist and I am wrong here?
and
If there aren't any guidelines as I suspect, what is considered fair and reasonable when charging for GP letters to Local Authority these days?

I am now having to send a letter arguing my case to the practice manager and enclosing a copy of what I think is the old BMA guidelines (which are still considerably less than what this practice manager is trying to charge us) but I am desperately seeking some recent evidential information as to these cost to help support my argument.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Alana Otway RGN IOSH
Nrys Cofrestredig/Registered Nurse

Ymgynghorydd Iechyd Galwedigaethol/Occupational Health Advisor
Ffôn/Telephone:  01824 712510
Ffacs/Fax: 01824 712507
http://www.sirddinbych.gov.uk/
http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/

From:	Glenn Raybone <[log in to unmask]>
To:	[log in to unmask]
Date:	23/08/2010 11:26
Subject:	Re: [OCC-HEALTH] GP Report record??
Sent by:	[log in to unmask]

---

I don't think you've read my original post or you've mis-interpreted it.

I have had no response for two years following a request, which was neither unfocussed or poorly framed.

The resolution is that we made decisions without having the GP input, which is a pity.

Not a whinge, just stating the facts

Glenn

Sent from my iPhone

On 22 Aug 2010, at 22:03, Dr Mark O'Connor <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Do you want to solve the issue, improve this situation or just whinge?

If you have chased the report and despite being told it will be delayed up to three months have given no indication at that stage you don't want it then don't be surprised if you are chased for payment

However better perhaps is to agree to pay up front their required fee for a contractural guarenteed response timeframe - that way you can get your money back if they fail to deliver

As many of you know I wear both an OH and GP hat and many of the requests I get are often poorly framed and unfocussed in their questions with an unrealistic expectation of GP known-functional information

Mark


On 20 August 2010 13:16, Glenn Raybone <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I doubt we'll get an invoice Frank, it is over two years now!

Glenn

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