Sussexboy Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 Was sitting in the local Doctors surgery with the eldest daughter this morning. Has to wait 20 minutes past the appointment time as usual so was reading the notices on the wall next to me. There is a price list for charges for things "outside" of normal NHS activities. One of these was signatures for SGC - £35!!!. Now is this legal? Or is it just FAC it is illegal for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 I'm not surprised by this. They charge for everything. I am however surprised they advertise this service. Before I applied for my SGC I googled lots of things to find out more about it and ended up on a BMA website advising doctors not to give references for shotguns or firearms for anyone who is their patient. If they did it for a friend it was a different matter but a patient should find someone else. Too much responsibility if something went wrong I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 I don't see how a doctor that isn't a personal friend should be allowed to countersign? They only know patients by medical notes, so how are they a good judge of character? I haven't even met my new doctor since I moved house 5 years ago, I only go to them if I'm really ill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 if they charge then they should not sign it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 I was under the impression that the signature was required to confirm you were, who you said you were, not a character reference. Doctors have been charging for years, I remember my daughter paying £10 for a signature on her Passport Application form, that must have been 15 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Yep, it is to confirm you are who you say you are and that you are not mental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Either SGC or FAC applications (can't remember which) also state they may contact your GP for access to medical records if required. I don't blame them for charging, but £35 sounds very steep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I seem to remember a clause printed on the forms, precluding anyone who makes a charge for their signature from acting as a referee. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troosers Too Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I'm dead lucky, my doctor is a very keen game shot. If you go to him to get any form of shooting paperwork signed you automatically become his friend. TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Some are equally lucky. FM :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I can imagine that getting a signature for a SGC could be a problem for some. Not everyone knows a professional type person. I thought that they had to know you to countersign, but it makes sense that they just have to conform that you are who you say you are. My FEO didn't bother to contact my countersignature, even though I have a record. maybe that's because they can put a picture to my name already :( ! I'd have thought a driving license/passport when the FEO visits would be ok for that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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