Are doctors allowed to sell you stuff?

[topless_mx5]

I went to see a Chiropodist today at my local doctors surgery. He said I need insoles, and said I could come back later and get some off him for £25.

I know these are available at Pharmacies aswell, but he suggested I get them off him to make sure I get the right one's.

It feels dodgy handing over cash to a doctor. Is this normal practice?

[bigburd]

IIRC whilst many doctors surgeries work for the NHS, you will find that the pharmacy at your surgery is a LTD company whose directors are many of the Doctors, they supplement their income through prescriptions etc etc.

I would get the surgery to give an exact requirement and go elsewhere to see what the prices are first.

[RobDickinson]

GP's are private contractors to the NHS, as to the OP ofcourse there alowed to sell you stuff, why wouldnt they be?

[968]

topless_mx5 said:

I went to see a Chiropodist today at my local doctors surgery. He said I need insoles, and said I could come back later and get some off him for £25.

I know these are available at Pharmacies aswell, but he suggested I get them off him to make sure I get the right one's.

It feels dodgy handing over cash to a doctor. Is this normal practice?

The chiropodist is not a doctor, well, not a proper doctor. He can sell you stuff, as has been pointed out like other health care professionals do. GP surgeries are contracted to work for the NHS but are private enterprises so they offer lots of stuff, like botox and cosmetic treatments, for example, which are privately paid for.