AQW 25524/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health how his Department regulates charges set by GPs in relation to DLM1 medical reports.
Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 9 November 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 9 November 2021
- Answer due by
- 24 November 2021
- Answered
- 17 November 20218 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
GPs are independent contractors who contract with the Health and Social Care Board under the HPSS (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (NI) 2004 to provide primary medical services to their registered list of patients.
While these Regulations stipulate a range of functions beyond the clinical treatment and care of their patients which GPs must provide free, for example the completion of medical certificates for Social Security purposes, the completion of forms for driving licences does not fall within the scope of the Regulations.
GPs are therefore under no contractual obligation to complete these forms and so are free to decide whether or not to do so and also whether to charge for this service.
There are no set fees for carrying out such work. It is a matter for the GP to decide what fee is charged for providing this service.