Most of the NHS provision in General Practice is charge free. An exception are for example prescription charges (see below).
There are though charges for non NHS work, e.g. medicolegal reports, insurance medicals, travel advice etc. . Some of these charges are set, others will be calculated on an hourly base. You will be advised in advance if there are any charges for the work requested. A list of common charges is available at the reception. Usually the person requesting a work is responsible for any relevant fees.
The practice is legally obliged to collect prescription fees. These are not part of the practice income but are in their entirety forwarded to the Health Board.
Staff can and should ask to see evidence of entitlement if it is claimed that such fees are not payable. Please note that non-payment of prescription fees by not entitled patients is considered fraud and a criminal activity. There is a whole department in the NHS administration solely concerned with chasing such people. Fees can be payed in cash or in cheque.
To reduce the large number of completely unnecessary medical reports for issue or renewal of the Dunoon Council operated Blue Badge scheme we have revised our procedures on this matter.
Most of the time the council is - according to its own published procedures - able to issue Blue Badges without any accompanying medical documentation.
Unfortunately this fact appears to be poorly communicated and most applicants still request from the surgery an accompanying medical certificate.
In future please do not bring your application to us but send it directly to the relevant council office which then in turn should be able to judge whether an additional medical report is required.
The council will then contact - with your consent - the surgery and request a report.
The practice operates a complaints procedure in line with that of most other NHS bodies and institutions. A copy of the procedure is available at the reception.