IMPORTANT UPDATE: Medical Letters, Certificates and Non-NHS Requests
Medical Letters, Certificates and Non-NHS Requests
At Brockwood Medical Practice, we understand that patients may occasionally require letters or certificates for non-medical or administrative purposes, such as school absences, travel, or participation in activities. We always want to support our patients as much as possible. However, there are limits to what GPs can provide, both ethically and within the scope of NHS services.
We hope the following information helps clarify what we can and cannot do, and why.
School Absence Letters
Following guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) and supported by Surrey County Council and our Local Medical Committee (LMC), we do not issue letters to confirm school absences due to illness or mental health.
Parents and guardians can access key information such as appointment details, prescriptions, or referrals via the NHS App, and share this directly with the school if required.
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but this guidance ensures that medical time is used where it is most needed and protects patient confidentiality.
Exam Adjustment and Extra Time Letters
We are unable to provide letters or supporting documentation for requests for additional exam time, academic adjustments, or special consideration in school, college, or university examinations.
Educational institutions usually have their own processes for assessing and supporting students, often through Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), educational psychologists, or specialist assessors. In many cases, medical evidence from a GP is not required.
Patients may access relevant medical information through the NHS App if needed.
Theme Park Accessibility and Queue Pass Letters
We are unable to provide letters supporting requests to skip queues or obtain accessibility passes for theme parks or attractions due to disability or medical conditions.
Most attractions have their own accessibility assessment processes and will usually request supporting evidence directly from the patient, such as documentation of benefits, hospital letters, or other official evidence.
Patients can often use existing medical documentation or information available via the NHS App when applying.
Housing Application and Priority Letters
We are unable to provide letters supporting housing applications, rehousing requests, or requests for priority housing status.
Local authorities and housing associations have their own assessment processes and will usually request relevant medical information directly from the GP if required. In these circumstances, we are happy to respond to official requests from housing departments where appropriate.
Patients may also access relevant medical information, including diagnoses, medications, and hospital correspondence, through the NHS App to support their application if needed.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide individual advocacy letters stating that a patient should be rehoused, requires a larger property, or should receive housing priority.
Fit to Fly Letters
We are unable to issue letters or certificates stating a patient is 'fit to fly'. As GPs, assessing fitness to fly is outside our scope of practice and clinical responsibility. This includes requests for:
-
Patients with ongoing health conditions
-
Pregnant patients
-
Post-surgery travellers
Where relevant, your hospital consultant or team may be more appropriate to provide documentation, especially for complex conditions or pregnancy.
We can provide a letter listing prescribed medication for travel purposes if required by your airline.
✅ Please check directly with your airline for the exact details they need.
💷 Please note a fee will apply for this non-NHS service.
Fitness to Participate or Compete in Activities
Requests for certificates confirming a patient is "fit" to undertake sporting or physical events (e.g. marathons, triathlons, diving, extreme sports) are also outside the scope of NHS General Practice. The BMA advises that even after a detailed assessment, GPs cannot guarantee a patient's fitness for specific, high-risk activities.
Unfortunately, we are not able to complete or sign these certificates.
We recommend that you consult with the event organisers to see if a private sports or occupational health specialist would be more suitable to assess and sign such documentation.
Why We Take This Approach
We understand that not being able to provide these documents may cause inconvenience. Please know this is not a reflection of how much we value our patients. Rather, it is based on:
-
Professional and ethical guidance from the British Medical Association
-
A desire to ensure safe, appropriate, and evidence-based care
-
A need to prioritise our time for the NHS clinical services we are here to deliver
📚 BMA Guidance on Non-NHS Work
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you're unsure whether we can assist with a specific request, please contact our reception team who will be happy to advise.
GP Partners at Brockwood Medical Practice
Published on 12 May 2026