Requesting a letter at Priory Medical Centre

Letters and Forms We Do Not Provide

Please read before requesting a letter

GP practices are frequently asked to complete letters, certificates, and forms for a wide range of non-medical purposes.

Most of these requests are not part of NHS services. They are considered private (non-NHS) work.

Due to the current pressures on NHS services, we have made the decision that:

❗ We do not undertake private letter writing or form completion

This allows us to focus our time and resources on providing safe, timely NHS care for our patients.

Why We Do Not Provide These Letters

• These requests fall outside the NHS contract
• They do not relate to direct patient care
• They can be time-consuming and complex
• GP time is currently under significant pressure

Although private work can generate income, we have chosen not to offer this service so we can prioritise clinical care for all patients.

Examples of Requests We Cannot Provide

General / Administrative

• Character references (jobs, interviews, visas)
• Bank letters
• Letters for theme parks (e.g. Disneyland, Alton Towers)
• General “to whom it may concern” letters

Work, Education & Attendance

• School absence letters
• Missed exam or university letters
• Requests for extensions or special consideration
• Employer-specific forms (unless part of a formal NHS fit note process)

👉 Schools, colleges, and employers should accept self-certification or their own processes

Fitness Certificates

• Fit for gym / exercise
• Fit to fly
• Fit to dive
• Fit to participate in sports or events

👉 These decisions sit with:

• The organisation or instructor
• A specialist private assessor if required

Legal / Official Documents

• Missing court appearance letters
• Gun Licence
• Seat Belt Exemption
• Exempt from Jury Duty ( Unless court-ordred)
• Probation letters (unless court-ordered)
• Power of attorney / capacity assessments
• Court of Protection documentation

👉 These require legal or specialist assessment, not GP input

Medical Reports for External Use

• Insurance or accident reports
• Police injury reports
• Road traffic accident documentation

👉 These are not NHS services and require appropriate external professionals

Housing Applications

• Letters supporting housing applications

👉 You do not need a GP letter
👉 The council should contact us directly if medical information is required

Benefits and Financial Support

• Benefits appeal letters

👉 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will request information directly from us if needed

Diet, Lifestyle & General Advice Letters

• Approval for specific diets
• Letters supporting lifestyle choices

👉 These do not require GP authorisation

Medical Clearance for Procedures

• Fitness for surgery
• Dental procedures

👉 The clinician performing the procedure is responsible for assessing fitness

Important Points

• GP letters are not required for most of the above situations
• Other organisations should have their own processes or occupational health services
• If additional medical information is needed, they will contact us directly with your consent

Can You Provide Anything Instead?

In some cases, we may be able to provide:

• A printout of your medical record (where appropriate)

This can often be used to support your request without requiring a GP letter.

If You Are Unsure

If you are unsure whether we can help:

• Please speak to reception before booking an appointment

This helps avoid unnecessary appointments and ensures GP time is used appropriately.

Thank You for Your Understanding

We understand this may sometimes feel frustrating.

However, this approach allows us to:

• Focus on patient care and safety
• Provide timely NHS appointments
• Support patients with genuine medical needs

Thank you for helping us protect NHS resources.