GPRs
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Medical Association (BMA) have agreed an increase in GP report fees. From 1 July 2005, the fee for a GP report will rise from £65 to £70.50, with the cost of a supplementary report rising from £16.50 to £18. The fee for medical examinations will also increase, from £71 to £77.50. The two bodies also agreed that GPs should return reports within 20 working days of receiving them.
Commenting on the 8.9% fee increase, Richard Walsh, head of health at the ABI, called for GPs to be more attentive when dealing with reports: "We expect the British Medical Association to pay particular attention to the growing problem of a number of GPs issuing unchecked electronic print-outs of complete medical records."
This sentiment was echoed by Dr Peter Holden, chairman of the BMA's professional fees committee: "It is important that doctors produce reports in the format required rather than simply reproducing a patient's health record.
"This fee settlement is a good deal for GPs, patients and the insurance industry," he added.
