GP Charging €30 to write a letter

az2wp0sye65487

Long story short, our eldest will be 4 towards the end of the Summer, and is currently in 'Early Start' playschool. We're concerned she's not ready emotionally to start primary school and want to give her another year there in order to start school at 5 yrs.

The teacher agrees, but we were having trouble securing another year in the same school.

We were advised that we should write a letter voicing our concerns and that it would be helpful if our Public Health Nurse and GP would write a letter also to back up ours. The PHN wrote one for us with no issue. We explained the situation to our GP during a visit recently and asked for a letter; and he said "leave it with me"....

So having followed up with the surgery this week they finally called me back today to tell me the letter would cost us €30!

They weren't able to justify the cost to me over the phone and just said that it's not covered on the GP Card scheme (fair enough) and they are entitled to charge for it.

It's not even the cost that bothers me, it's the fact that they're blatantly just charging because they can.

When I was a kid our family GP (long since retired) wouldn't even charge my folks for half my visits. Anyone else ever come up against a situation like this?

EverythingGood

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Long story short, our eldest will be 4 towards the end of the Summer, and is currently in 'Early Start' playschool. We're concerned she's not ready emotionally to start primary school and want to give her another year there in order to start school at 5 yrs.

The teacher agrees, but we were having trouble securing another year in the same school.

We were advised that we should write a letter voicing our concerns and that it would be helpful if our Public Health Nurse and GP would write a letter also to back up ours. The PHN wrote one for us with no issue. We explained the situation to our GP during a visit recently and asked for a letter; and he said "leave it with me"....

So having followed up with the surgery this week they finally called me back today to tell me the letter would cost us €30!


They weren't able to justify the cost to me over the phone and just said that it's not covered on the GP Card scheme (fair enough) and they are entitled to charge for it.

It's not even the cost that bothers me, it's the fact that they're blatantly just charging because they can.

When I was a kid our family GP (long since retired) wouldn't even charge my folks for half my visits. Anyone else ever come up against a situation like this?

I don't see the problem, it's a professional service - if you asked a solicitor do write a letter, it would cost the same or more. I think the €30, while not nice, is justified.

January

Same, they took time out of their working day to write the letter, they could have been doing other things (it probably took time out of seeing someone for an appointment), they're entitled to charge.

az2wp0sye65487

EverythingGood wrote: »

I don't see the problem, it's a professional service - if you asked a solicitor do write a letter, it would cost the same or more. I think the €30, while not nice, is justified.

Not all solicitors will charge to write a letter or give advice believe it or not. I've dealt with solicitors in the past who don't charge for every single thing.

January wrote: »

Same, they took time out of their working day to write the letter, they could have been doing other things (it probably took time out of seeing someone for an appointment), they're entitled to charge.

But he didn't have to spend extra time doing it or taking time out as my wife had asked when making the appointment and was sitting in at our appointment when he deferred writing the letter - presumably so that it would be an 'extra' service.

I write letters every day, and it would take 2 minutes to type out a couple of lines about what we had requested.

Again, it's not the cost that's the issue. more the attitude of "well we're entitled to charge for it, so......"

Just because you're entitled to do something doesn't mean you have to, or should, do it.

snowflaker

It's a professional opinion you are paying for, not just a piece of paper. Is a professional opinion on your child's educational development not even worth €30?

Other professionals charge similar and more for professional opinions.

I paid and estate agent €130 for his considered opinion on how much my house was worth. He didn't have to physically inspect the house

endacl

Was it handwritten by the GP? If so, it won't be much use to you unless you engage the services of a forensic handwriting expert. Which ain't cheap either!

az2wp0sye65487

snowflaker wrote: »

It's a professional opinion you are paying for, not just a piece of paper. Is a professional opinion on your child's educational development not even worth €30?

Other professionals charge similar and more for professional opinions.

I paid and estate agent €130 for his considered opinion on how much my house was worth. He didn't have to physically inspect the house

Just to be clear, again; it's not the cost that I'm annoyed about. It's the decision to charge for it.

Like I said, when I was a kid our family GP would often go out of his way for us. Wouldn't charge my folks for my visits. Would give my parents a lift home on occasion. Maybe it's just that times have changed, and there doesn't seem to be as much decency these days.....


By the way, an estate agent shouldn't be giving you a written valuation or opinion on value without inspecting the property. Leaving themselves exposed there.

snowflaker

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Just to be clear, again; it's not the cost that I'm annoyed about. It's the decision to charge for it.

Like I said, when I was a kid our family GP would often go out of his way for us. Wouldn't charge my folks for my visits. Would give my parents a lift home on occasion. Maybe it's just that times have changed, and there doesn't seem to be as much decency these days.....


By the way, an estate agent shouldn't be giving you a written valuation or opinion on value without inspecting the property. Leaving themselves exposed there.

Valuation is based on size location etc it's not a survey

Do you expect something for nothing?

Millem

I think €30 is justified. I pay €10 every year for a solicitor to sign a form for me. He checks my passport and signs his signature. If I give him 2 forms he charges €10 per signature!

mordeith

I don't get it. You agree that they were entitled to charge for the letter yet annoyed that they did it. Isn't that just you wanting your own way?

Sure solicitors charge €50 upwards for a letter so a doctors no different

Lady is a tramp

Some GPs will charge for a letter (up to €150 in my experience!), some won't. So long as they're advising you of the cost in advance, I don't see the issue.

In fairness, he's probably basing his opinion largely on what you (the parents) want, and what you have reported to him. And yeah it takes time and professional expertise to put it together - I don't think your annoyance is justified, to be honest.

Cushie Butterfield

If you're not happy with your GP just register with another, but the chances are if you do you'll run the risk of a similar or higher charge with another one should you request a service that isn't covered by the scheme in the future.

lazygal

If you need the letter you'll just have to pay. You're paying for more than just a piece of paper.

I think €30 is pretty cheap TBH.

dar100

snowflaker wrote: »

Valuation is based on size location etc it's not a survey

Do you expect something for nothing?

Yes and there is a standardised template that examines sq feet number of rooms etc!! It is not a letter, it is a report! Which he very much needs to be in the house to do ethically

newacc2015

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Not all solicitors will charge to write a letter or give advice believe it or not. I've dealt with solicitors in the past who don't charge for every single thing.

Most do though, or they are seeing some billable hours in the future. Like asking him a question about buying a house. He might not bill you for that, as sees a few K when you go to buy the house

It is not the difficult to be a solictor either

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

I write letters every day, and it would take 2 minutes to type out a couple of lines about what we had requested.

Again, it's not the cost that's the issue. more the attitude of "well we're entitled to charge for it, so......"

Just because you're entitled to do something doesn't mean you have to, or should, do it.

Why did you get one of the lads in the office to write the letter? You are equating that their time and opinion is just as valued as the GP

My two cents is the GP was probably 1 in 500 who got the points for medicine, did the horrific 5 years of College and several years of training afterwards. They brought/rent a surgery a significant cost, have a secretary, pay for rates, ESB etc.

Yet despite several years of education and massive overheads, you don't think they should have to charge you for a service. If you are not happy with the GP valuing their time and billing you accordingly. Go look for another GP, but I doubt any will

Or why don't you become a GP since it is such a racket...

Miaireland

I am guessing that your GP is basing the price on how long the letter will take him.and how much they could earn from another patient of they saw them at that time.

Saying your GO didn't always charge your parents all the time is silly. Sue culture wasn't part of Ireland then. Price indemity Insurance for GPs has gone sky high over the last few years.

infogiver

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Just to be clear, again; it's not the cost that I'm annoyed about. It's the decision to charge for it.

Like I said, when I was a kid our family GP would often go out of his way for us. Wouldn't charge my folks for my visits. Would give my parents a lift home on occasion. Maybe it's just that times have changed, and there doesn't seem to be as much decency these days.....


By the way, an estate agent shouldn't be giving you a written valuation or opinion on value without inspecting the property. Leaving themselves exposed there.

OP your completely offside here.
The medical card your child has only covers for medical attention. GPs are constantly being hammered for letters of support for all sorts of social issues and medical reports for insurance claims, driving licences for over 70s etc. DSP appeals medical card appeals on and on and on. Things your old family GP WASNT doing back in the day.
It's not just a question of tapping out a letter while your wife waits.
What about the other patients waiting to see the GP whiles he types?
€30 seems very reasonable.
Best of luck with your little girl

Ms2011

snowflaker wrote: »

I paid and estate agent €130 for his considered opinion on how much my house was worth. He didn't have to physically inspect the house

Completely OT but I got a free house valuation last month & the EA even called to my house!!!

heldel00

My sister was with the nurse in GP surgery a few weeks ago. She asked the nurse a question and nurse said "hold on and I'll ask Dr. So-so." Now keep in mind that my sister had been with the same doc the previous day.
When my sister was leaving the receptionist asked her for €10 for nurse and €30 for the doctor. Sister said "no, I paid for doctor yesterday" and was told by receptionist that the doctor had sent note out to her to charge because the nurse had been in with a question!!!!

In relation to OP question - i would have no problem paying €30 for a letter but Is what happened my sis not a bit ridiculous???

snowflaker

Ms2011 wrote: »

Completely OT but I got a free house valuation last month & the EA even called to my house!!!

Buying or Selling? It's in the tbf estate agents interest to offer a free evaluation to sellers. When you are buying and you need it for the mortgage approval- it ain't free.

snowflaker

dar100 wrote: »

Yes and there is a standardised template that examines sq feet number of rooms etc!! It is not a letter, it is a report! Which he very much needs to be in the house to do ethically

No. It's a valuation price for the mortgage. A one paragraph letter.

The surveyors report was considerably more expensive!!!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Just to be clear, again; it's not the cost that I'm annoyed about. It's the decision to charge for it.

Like I said, when I was a kid our family GP would often go out of his way for us. Wouldn't charge my folks for my visits. Would give my parents a lift home on occasion. Maybe it's just that times have changed, and there doesn't seem to be as much decency these days.....


By the way, an estate agent shouldn't be giving you a written valuation or opinion on value without inspecting the property. Leaving themselves exposed there.

That's a really odd view to have. Why would you expect the service to be free? It would be nice for the GP to include the letter in the visit, but he's charging you. That doesn't mean that they are not nice, they are running a business.

You have 2 options, pay the €30 or don't pay it and seek another GP who will do it for free. Good luck.

Ms2011

snowflaker wrote: »

Buying or Selling? It's in the tbf estate agents interest to offer a free evaluation to sellers. When you are buying and you need it for the mortgage approval- it ain't free.

Selling at the minute, broker paid for it when we were buying.

LegacyUser

I don't have a problem per se with the charge.
what i think is interesting, and as a health care professional i see it all the time...... getting a PHN and a doctor to write a letter stating that they think your child is not emotionally ready for school. i dare suggest neither party have any real idea whether your child is or is not ready, i could be wrong but the teacher (and your) opinion is what matters. do they know your child that well?

NinjaTruncs

IMO the op doesn't value the doctors time as they aren't used to paying for it with the medical card. The fact that the think it will take two minutes to write based on the fact the op writes e letters all the time shows how little they value the doctors time.

eoinzy2000

Why should he work for nothing for you? Anyone can write a letter, yes, but not everyone is a registered Doctor with associated fee, overheads, CPD costs etc.
Nobody should work for free, and a letter from you is not the same. If it was you couldve written it yourself

Big Bag of Chips

Years ago letters weren't needed for everything. Children didn't go to playschool! If they did, they didn't go for free. If they needed another year, they just went for another year. I work part-time for a semi retired GP who doesn't charge for letters. I have typed To whom it may concern: letters for - unable to fly, unable to drive for work purposes, immediate requirement of alternative/appropriate accommodation on medical grounds, new office chair, supporting letter for application for carers allowance, supporting letter for medical card applications, grants for adapted houses, requests for respite for overburdened families caring for very I'll parents/children etc, and they're the ones I can think of off the top of my head, not including referral letters that are sent pretty much every day or medico-legal reports that the doctor has to compile by looking through entire medical records.

You and your family are one of a huge list of families your doctor looks after. And you'd be surprised just how many "just a quick letter" requests they'd get a day. On top of blood results, x-Ray results, scan results, prescriptions, repeat prescriptions, correspondence from specialists who are seeing their patients. A GP's workload is huge. And not cheap, for the GP.

Being a GP today is a different business to when your parents were bringing you as a child.

January

Wayne Howling Topaz wrote: »

Not all solicitors will charge to write a letter or give advice believe it or not. I've dealt with solicitors in the past who don't charge for every single thing.



But he didn't have to spend extra time doing it or taking time out as my wife had asked when making the appointment and was sitting in at our appointment when he deferred writing the letter - presumably so that it would be an 'extra' service.

I write letters every day, and it would take 2 minutes to type out a couple of lines about what we had requested.

Again, it's not the cost that's the issue. more the attitude of "well we're entitled to charge for it, so......"

Just because you're entitled to do something doesn't mean you have to, or should, do it.

If he had written the letter at the appointment he could have run over the appt time and have to chase his tail all day. He gets paid a pittance for the gp caRd. He's entitled to charge for it so he should.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

popa smurf

I am with the OP on this one a GP would scribble out a letter in a minute and if he is family doctor well he will get enough out of them during the year. OK its a business now and the GP has bils to pay but I think its a bit much

infogiver

popa smurf wrote: »

I am with the OP on this one a GP would scribble out a letter in a minute and if he is family doctor well he will get enough out of them during the year. OK its a business now and the GP has bils to pay but I think its a bit much

You think a scribble on a piece of paper is professional? Readable? helpful?
Explain how he "will get enough out of them during the year".

Lau2976

My dad is a psychologist who has a private practice and he gets letter requests every day. I'm sure it's 10x worse for a GP. He charges as they have to carefully plan what to write to avoid over stepping their role, especially if your asking your gp for a letter because of mental health, there is a very valid reason that your deferred when you go to your gp with mental health issues.

The charge covers the cost of the time but also acts as a deterrent to people getting letters for everything. Most won't leave it if they are told the doctor won't write it but they will if they are told the price.

The comparison of old GP's and new is pretty ridiculous too, and IMHO your old GP was much to close to you to be unbiased. Getting too close to patients for any doctor can easily blur the lines quickly.

infogiver

Medical reports for insurance claims are a huge nuisance but the "demand " for them has reduced hugely since my GP started charging €100 per report.

seamus

Lau2976 wrote: »

My dad is a psychologist who has a private practice and he gets letter requests every day. I'm sure it's 10x worse for a GP. He charges as they have to carefully plan what to write to avoid over stepping their role, especially if your asking your gp for a letter because of mental health, there is a very valid reason that your deferred when you go to your gp with mental health issues.

The charge covers the cost of the time but also acts as a deterrent to people getting letters for everything. Most won't leave it if they are told the doctor won't write it but they will if they are told the price.

I think both of these points cover it.
Their opinion on a piece of paper is ultimately a reflection on themselves, with the potential to be used against them in the future. They can't just scribble something on a piece of paper without giving it at least some thought; in the worst case scenario they could lose their insurance and licence to practice!

And there are some people who will pester GPs for everything. Nominal charges like €30 deter these people from wasting the GPs time with constant requests for letters and phone calls.

shesty

Is there something actually wrong with the child? Why on earth would a medical doctor be writing a letter to a playschool otherwise??That seems mad to me. Personally, my own child is a june baby and won't be starting school til she's five because she will simply be too young.I don't see the need for a gp to be involved at all, and I can't understand what they could add to the whole situation (unless there is something wrong with your child), so under these circumstances, I see no problem with the 30eur charge.

seamus

shesty wrote: »

Is there something actually wrong with the child? Why on earth would a medical doctor be writing a letter to a playschool otherwise??That seems mad to me. Personally, my own child is a june baby and won't be starting school til she's five because she will simply be too young.I don't see the need for a gp to be involved at all, and I can't understand what they could add to the whole situation (unless there is something wrong with your child), so under these circumstances, I see no problem with the 30eur charge.

Some playschools/preschools have enrolment restrictions in relation to age and won't take children who are already 4 years old when the school year begins.

Sounds a bit mad, but the amount of change and development that occurs during that period is massive. A child who is due to turn 5 during the school year is likely to become really bored over the course of the year and ends up being disruptive and unhappy. This is especially the case if the focus of the school tends towards younger children. A child who is just gone 4 may be better served in a montessori than the playschool.

So I can understand why a school might ask for professional opinions about the suitability of a 4 year old for another full year of playschool.

January

Early Start is a school run pre-school program. It now runs two year programs because of the new ECCE regulations but previously the child only did one year and then went on to JI, usually in the same school. OP, how old is your child? Is she not entitled to the second year for ECCE?

mrsmags16

30 euro seems very reasonable for taking time out to do this.
I am not sure why you are comparing your GP to a childhood memory. A guy servicing my car once threw in a free mirror replacement. So what? Should the next guy be expected to do that? GPs have to run a business like everybody else. A repeat prescription costs about 25 euro. A letter for 30 euro seems more than fair.
Of course professionals should be paid for their services.

Wesser

Your GP in probably inundated with constant requests for letter requests for this and that. This all takes time when you add it up and requires the GP to come in early / stay late.

The reason you are surprised by the request is that you have an under 6 s card which means you forget the true value of what you are receiving because it is given to you for free.

The payment given to the doctor for the under 6s card does not include unlimited tasks , it covers medical care for when your child is sick.

infogiver

I'm glad to see so many boardsies appreciate that their GP is not a magician who must produce letters and reports and Certs at the drop of a hat and for nothing too because "we have a medical card".
I'm not a GP but I am employed in providing a public service which is free to service users.
It always amuses me that people will be completely subservient to service providers that they have to pay, plumbers electricians builders etc but very quickly becoming borderline dictatorial and divaish and sometimes abusive when getting a service for free.
Nurses, teachers, Gardai, ambulance drivers, GPS, fire men, SW staff, all are frequently treated disrespectfully, by people who should no better.
The next time a life time dole mooch tells me that he's paying my wages...