Why should I pay for a med certificate?

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your medical questions

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Q I have always wanted to learn to scuba dive. My husband and I have booked a course in Cornwall to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary, and they have asked us to fill in a medical questionnaire, which needs to be signed by our GP. My practice says there will be a fee for this. It is literally just two sides of A4. Is it right for them to charge us?

A I’m afraid so. The NHS doesn’t cover these sorts of medical certificates, so GPs charge for their time and also for the responsibility of signing a statement of fitness to dive, which you will have to have before being allowed to do the course.

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