Why NHS doctors charge patients for letters

Some holidaymakers are facing an extra expense when they fly abroad: a letter from their GP saying they are fit to fly.

Many of the major airlines require a medical note for those who have had a recent operation, a broken bone or are more than 27 weeks pregnant - or look it.

Doctors are allowed to set their own fee for the letters - and may not even need to see the patient in their surgery.

Zoe Kleinman reports.

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