GPC Guidance - Accepting donations from patients – Aug 2007

Extract - This is an area which is governed by both contractual and ethical perspectives. Both emphasise the need for transparency and accountability when considering accepting donations from patients.

The requirement to register gifts was introduced by the Health and Social Care Act 2001. The current regulations apply to both performers and contractors and require individual GPs and contractors to keep a register of gifts from patients or their relatives which have a value of £100 or more unless the gift is unconnected with the provision of services. Primary care trusts can request sight of such registers; the register itself must include certain information such as the name of the donor, nature of the gift and its estimated value.  In addition to registering gifts, GPs may also need to seek tax advice about declaring large gifts or bequests for tax purposes.

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