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BASC says don’t pay medical fee


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Seems fair enough, certainly all of the medical opinion i have encountered on the matter supports either refusing to respond or levying a charge commensurate with the potential medicolegal risk.

 

If people stick to refusing to pay we may with luck see the removal of GP involvement.

 

Its notable the BMA were reportedly completely against the current system but despite their complete objection are still quoted as having been involved in producing the current state of play.

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I received a phone call from my GP a couple of days after receiving my SGC saying that there would be a charge of £25 to reply to a letter re my application. I informed them that according to the BMA guidelines there should be no charge for placing the marker on my file although the secretary had no idea what form she was trying to charge for. That was over 5 weeks ago and I've heard nothing since ??

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If you read the document on the link I posted its very clear when you have to pay.

 

David

 

i clicked on the link in your first posted and it stated "BASC says don’t pay medical fee" ,

if there are circumstances when applicant has to pay a fee then you should have stated that in your first post!

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The release relates to the first check where nothing is declared, some GP's are charging for simply doing the basic check, adding the marker to the record, this should not be charged for

 

The initial release clearly says that if further investigation is required because something is declared by the applicant or the GP then a fee may be payable.

 

The second link above confirms the only circumstance where the applicant must pay

 

I hope that clarifies

 

David

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  • 2 weeks later...

How do I find out what capacity the GP got involved?

As I've just received a £50 invoice for the privilege!

The invoice says

 

"To complete firearms licence renewal form sent to Dorset police 07. 07. 2016"

 

A bit confused as I received my Certs over a month ago!!!

Watching with interest.

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ill these changes be introduced across the UK?

The new system will be introduced in England and Wa
les on 1 April. Because
processes in Scotland
may differ, separate guidance is being issued in su
mmer 2016 regarding medical information in
Scotland. The firearm and shotgun application form
s apply in England, Wales and Scotland.
The
new system does not apply to Northern Ireland which
has separate firearms legislation and processes.

 

One less hurdle to jump in this part of the UK. :)

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GPs are not supposed to send out invoices unless they have already discussed this with the patient and the patient has agreed to pay,

 

Given that the certificate has already been delivered suggests strongly that the GP added the marker to your records and ticked the box on the form confirming that there was no evidence that there are my medical issues which could prevent you from having a certificate. Its also clear that the GP did not recommend that any further investigation into your health was needed.

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GPs are not supposed to send out invoices unless they have already discussed this with the patient and the patient has agreed to pay,

 

Given that the certificate has already been delivered suggests strongly that the GP added the marker to your records and ticked the box on the form confirming that there was no evidence that there are my medical issues which could prevent you from having a certificate. Its also clear that the GP did not recommend that any further investigation into your health was needed.

But looking at this in the home office guidance notes this process can happen after the grant??

post-52383-0-61380100-1468055814_thumb.jpeg

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How do I find out what capacity the GP got involved?

As I've just received a £50 invoice for the privilege!

The invoice says

 

"To complete firearms licence renewal form sent to Dorset police 07. 07. 2016"

 

A bit confused as I received my Certs over a month ago!!!

 

I would suggest the context was in the wording on the invoice. Namely , "To complete firearms licence renewal form sent to Dorset police 07. 07. 2016"

Had they submitted a medical report it would have said so.

 

This procedure happens after ones FAC has been issued.

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Just been reading this on the BMA website!

 

BMA revised guidance on fees

 

The response to the Police's letter indicating whether there are any concerns and that a code on the patient's medical record has been added, is not part of a GP’s contract. It is therefore up to the GP to assess how best to proceed, taking on board the following factors and guidance:

 

1 - The work involved in responding to the letter is minimal and therefore can be undertaken easily without delay and without a fee.

 

2- The work involved in responding to the letter requires time and resources from the practice that necessitate a fee to be charged to the patient (the Police should not be charged).

 

We would advise GPs to seek confirmation from the patient that they are in agreement to pay a fee before undertaking the work so not to cause additional confusion or delay.

 

If there is a delay owing to this and you are unable to respond to the letter within the 21 days, please notify the police of this.

 

3- No one in the practice is available (e.g. on holiday or off sick) to complete the work within 21 days. Please notify the police without delay.

 

4- The practice does not have the capacity to undertake the work within the 21 days. Please notify the police without delay.

 

5- That the GP has a conscientious objection to gun ownership and no other GP in the practice is available or able to undertake the work. Please notify the police without delay

 

 

So my conclusion is they can charge what they like!!

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It was agreed with the BMA, GMC, Home Office and BASC that there would be no charge for adding the marker and ticking the form and sending it back, it's confusing that the BMA are giving conflicting advice on their web site.

Never the less BASC,s position remains the same as per the link I posted
David

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It was agreed with the BMA, GMC, Home Office and BASC that there would be no charge for adding the marker and ticking the form and sending it back, it's confusing that the BMA are giving conflicting advice on their web site.

 

Never the less BASC,s position remains the same as per the link I posted

David

I assume BASC will now be engaging with the BMA over the change?

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My sgc was renewed in May ,two weeks ago had a phone call from my Drs secretary informing me that the fire arms department had called the Dr for a medical report I replied that if they wanted to pay for it go a head ,she said that they won't pay .i informed her that I am not paying for it to be done ,that's fine was the reply she said that i shouldn't be telling you this that is the feedback from sgc and firearms renewals .have not here'd from them yet

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