General Practice is not contractually bound to provide proof of medical appointment attendance
Please see our ‘Schools’ guidance on this: https://cambslmc.org/guidance/managing-workload-interface/schools/
Requests for medical certificates to validate pupils’ absences from school
Increasingly, GPs receive requests to provide medical certificates, letters or evidence to present to a school to verify a pupil’s absence from school due to illness or to excuse them from exams or other activities.
GPs are not contractually obliged to undertake this work as it does not form part of the NHS General Medical Services (GMS) contract therefore an appropriate charge can be made.
While practices are entitled make a charge, it should be noted that medical certificates, letters or evidence are rarely appropriate or necessary; a parent’s explanation of the absence is generally sufficient.
If a school is concerned about a pupil’s attendance at school, this should be managed as an attendance issue via the education system and should not fall within the remit of GPs
