Most National Health Service (NHS) treatment is free but there can be charges for some things. You may be able to get help with NHS health costs, such as prescription charges, if for example, you are on a low income, are under 19 and still in full-time education or if you suffer from certain listed conditions. For details on help with certain NHS costs, please click here. You can collect a HC1 form from your local surgery if you think you are eligible.

Why do GPs sometimes charge fees?

GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self employed and have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc, in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work only through the contract they place with GPs to deliver NHS services and GPs are not allowed to charge NHS patients for work that the NHS pays them to do, however for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

In the case of the vaccines listed this is because these services are not covered by the NHS.

The practice can accept payment in cash or by credit/debit card. We regret we can no longer accept payment by cheque.