6 - Miscellaneous agreed fees
Charitable societies
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
(England & Wales)
The fees set out in this section have been agreed by the BMA with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to cover work undertaken for or on behalf of the Society. They are reviewed annually. The fees do not apply in Scotland; members are advised to contact askBMA for further information.
Voluntary aid societies
The BMA agrees the fees set out in this section with the Tripartite Committee for the Voluntary Aid Societies. They are revised on an annual basis in line with remuneration for general practitioners. The rates are normally paid by commercial organisations which are required to offer courses under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. These are organised by the British Red Cross Society, the St John Ambulance Association and St Andrew’s Ambulance Association.
It is stressed that these fees apply to courses for commercial companies. Where a doctor wishes to donate part or all of the fee to the voluntary aid society organising the course, it is important to ensure that the fee is still charged to the commercial company and that the doctor avoids any tax liability. Where the medical practitioner chooses to waive the fee in whole or in part, care should be taken to avoid payment of tax on sums donated to a registered charity, eg by entering into a covenant. In the case of lectures or examinations that the societies run for their own members or for the general public, practitioners are at liberty to arrange scales of remuneration not amounting to the full approved sums. The societies acknowledge their great indebtedness to the many members of the profession who follow this practice already and waive their fees.
1. NSPCC
Effective date: 1 April 2008
a) Condition of children
Visit, examination and certificate : £68.00
b) Magistrates Courts
Attendance in the town or neighbourhood in which the doctor practises or resides : £117.50
Note: This fee includes allowance paid by the Court, including mileage
c) Crown Courts
Attendance at – per case : £117.50
plus the amount allowed by the Court, which includes mileage
2. Voluntary aid societies
Effective date: 1 April 2008
Allowances: Mileage at 56.4p per mile
a) Lecture on first aid to commercial companies at the behest of the voluntary aid society, of one hour's duration : £171.50
b) Examination, per hour : £171.50