Doctors charging

[Dorset_shooter]

If I didn't really love this sport I would have chucked the towel in along time ago.

One would think there is an agenda from higher up

Not Really sure what you mean by this??

[Christel]

If I didn't really love this sport I would have chucked the towel in along time ago.

One would think there is an agenda from higher up

Not Really sure what you mean by this??

That the Government and the anti shooting bodies are all up for making our lives as difficult as possible so we give the sport up.

[knewmans]

Just put in my FAC renewal. This is the wording in the notes re GPs

6. If you have disclosed a relevant medical condition the police may ask you to obtain a medical
report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for this. If
further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

7. Where no relevant medical conditions are disclosed the police will contact your GP asking if
they are aware of any relevant medical conditions or have any concerns about the grant of the
firearm or shotgun certificate. Depending on the reply, the police may ask you to obtain a
medical report from your GP/specialist. You are expected to meet the cost if a fee is charged for
this. If further information is required the police may request and pay for a further report.

8. The police will ask your GP to place an encoded reminder on your patient record to indicate that
you have been issued with a firearm or shotgun certificate. The GP is asked to notify the police
if, following issue of the certificate, you are diagnosed with or treated for a relevant medical
condition (listed in note 5), or if the GP has other concerns about your possession of a certificate
that might affect your safe possession of firearms. Following contact from your GP there may be
a need for a medical report to be obtained to assist with assessment of your continued suitability
to possess a firearm or shotgun certificate. The police will pay if a medical report is required.

My italics.

[Oddbod]

The sole reason for this BS is allegedly "public safety".
In that case, the public can pay for it through their taxes, as the whole rigmarole does bugger all for firearms owners (or public safety if the truth be known).
My FEO's advice was to place any invoice for the services "provided" by a doctor in the circular file.

[artiglio]

About 15 years ago I needed a yellow fever vaccination as a requirement for work overseas. The cost for this at the time was iirc £90, I queried it with the nurse and was told that, the general principle was that work related medicals etc were charged for , the theory being that the recipient would in turn be earning from obtaining the job. Where the service was a general requirment ( such as medicals/ doctors declaration for older drivers) these were provided for free as they were not optional but gave rise to no extra earning potential. ( which has public safety parallels with fac declarations)
A bit of an anomally was that if you travelling for a holiday you would be charged at the surgery’s discression unless you wished to attend Haj , which was viewed as being a religious duty and as such not a holiday, however she said that in some surgery’s this was a not inconsiderable cost. But that the nhs had decided it was a price worth paying given the risk associated during Haj.
At my surgery there was no contact in respect of my renewal last year, but there is a note on the surgery wall advising that there is a fee for SGC’s. Wether this is enforced i’ve no idea.
My personal view is that a nominal £25-50 is not worth arguing about or any potential delay to the grant/ renewal process. Over the course of a 5 year cert duration it would a rounding error in my overall shooting expenditure.
Obviously others will have differing views.

[GeeRam]

A bit of an anomally was that if you travelling for a holiday you would be charged at the surgery’s discression unless you wished to attend Haj , which was viewed as being a religious duty and as such not a holiday

That would get right up my nostrils that would, religious duty my arse.............

Religion is a personal life choice, and thus no different to an FAC or many other personal life choices.

[SevenSixTwo]

Recently had my renewed certificates through (FAC + SGC).
Two days later: Disclosure permission from GP and an invoice for £25.
The horse has already bolted, pal. I won't be responding to you (or paying a single penny).

[safetyfirst]

Your mileage may vary of course but I’ve never found ignoring an invoice to have positive results.

If you don’t want to pay it on some grounds or other then state your case and make your point!

Just my unwanted two cents.

[Oddbod]

Your mileage may vary of course but I’ve never found ignoring an invoice to have positive results.

If you don’t want to pay it on some grounds or other then state your case and make your point!

Just my unwanted two cents.

It's a speculative invoice, as you have no contract drawn up between yourself & your GP regarding this matter.

It's as enforceable as a begging letter.