Date of Policy: October 2024
Author: Musonda Primo
Review Date: October 2025
Purpose:
This policy outlines the types of private work that our GP surgery will not undertake, particularly where there is a risk of vicarious liability. The primary objective is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our patients and healthcare professionals, while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care within the scope of our NHS services.
Scope:
This policy applies to all patients registered at our GP surgery and addresses private work requests that may expose the practice or its clinicians to vicarious liability.
Policy Statement:
Our GP surgery is committed to providing high-quality care within the scope of NHS services.
However, we do not undertake private work that may involve specialist assessments or activities
which present a significant risk of vicarious liability. These include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Fitness-to-fly assessments
• Clearance for high-risk sports (e.g., mountaineering, skydiving, paragliding)
• Certification for participation in sporting events (e.g., marathons, triathlons)
• Diving medicals (beyond DVLA statements of fact) or fitness-to-dive assessments
• Medical certifications for extreme sports or adventure travel
Rationale:
These types of private work often require specialist knowledge and expertise that fall outside the
general practice remit. Moreover, issuing certifications for such activities may expose the GP surgery
to potential legal risks, including vicarious liability, if an adverse event occurs.
Our GPs are trained to provide general medical services and support within the NHS framework.
Specialist assessments should be undertaken by professionals with specific expertise in those fields, and we encourage patients to seek advice from appropriately qualified clinicians or agencies for such requests.
What We Do Offer:
Our GP surgery continues to offer a wide range of services under the NHS, including:
• General health advice
• Chronic disease management
• Routine medical checks
• Referrals to specialist services where appropriate
Alternative Options:
For private work not covered under this policy, patients are advised to seek independent medical assessments from specialists in the relevant fields. These might include:
• Occupational health specialists
• Sports physicians
• Aviation or diving medical examiners
• Travel medicine clinics
Conclusion:
This policy is in place to safeguard both our patients and the surgery from the legal risks associated with vicarious liability. We are happy to support our patients in accessing the appropriate services for their private health needs through appropriate referrals or guidance.
For further questions or clarification regarding this policy, please contact our Practice Manager.