​The PFC (professional fees committee) represents the BMA on all matters relating to non-NHS, non-contractual medical service work, such as local and central government work, medico-legal work, insurance work and a wide range of reports, examinations and certificates for patients or third parties.

This includes consulting with Government and other organisations on work implications for the doctor involved and, where possible, negotiating fees for this.

Our priorities

Fees calculator

We have developed a fee tool. It will inform how you prepare professional reports outside your normal NHS contract: the effects of overheads, tax, NI and NHS Pension contributions. With this information, you will be able to set your own fees more accurately.

Review of fees, including those in the devolved nations

We are identifying a priority list of the fees that need to be reviewed, including those in the devolved nations.

Medical examiners system in England and Wales (outside acute care settings)

We are expressing concern over to the implementation plans and timelines for extending the medical examiner role to evaluate all deaths occurring in community settings. We will continue to articulate these concerns as the system is rolled out in England and Wales.

Firearms licensing

We have been working with BMA general practice committee, the Home Office, NPCC and RCGP to establish a firm position on GPs' roles and responsibilities in the process of issuing firearms licences. We also continue to discuss and pursue the issue of flagging on the GP record to ensure that this is developed appropriately within existing IT systems and that it will be fit for purpose.

Safeguarding reports (and payments of collaborative fees)

Payments for the issuance of safeguarding reports (and payments of collaborative fees) are not part of the GMS contract and GPs are currently doing work with outdated fees. We aim to ensure doctors are paid whether working under GMS or not.

DVLA Fees and Medicals

The DVLA has consulted on healthcare professionals being able to complete DVLA medical questionnaires as well as doctors. The fees calculator will inform doctors of their true value and cost of production.

Our people

Chair: Dr Peter Holden

Our meetings

The committee meets three times a year to discuss the latest issues affecting the profession. These meetings are only open to committee members.

Meeting dates 2024-25:

• Thursday 28 November 2024, hybrid (in-person and online via Microsoft Teams)
• Thursday 13 Feb 2025, virtual
• Thursday 15 May 2025, hybrid

All meetings take place either virtually or at:

BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP

How to join

There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills. 

Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of PFC, these are: 

The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.  

Elections

Election to PFC is closed.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the work of the PFC, email [email protected].