Private GP appointments: what to know

Private GP services have become more mainstream post-pandemic, with many offering virtual or in-person appointments on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Well-documented struggles to access NHS GP appointments due to backlogs and staff shortages mean some people may be tempted to opt for a private appointment for the first time.

If that's you, you can read here how private GP appointments work vs the NHS, how costs compare between providers and what to watch out for.

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How do private GP appointments work?

There are a few ways you can get a private GP appointment. If you have private medical insurance (PMI), you can book one through your insurer. 

Otherwise, you can either book directly with a private healthcare provider such as Bupa or Nuffield Health, which both offer 'pay-as-you-go' options, or with a private GP provider.

There are online-only and in-person options, although availability may vary depending on where you live.

Thinking of going private for an operation or consultant's appointment? Read our guide to private surgery

How much do private GP appointments cost?

Private GP appointments typically cost between £40 and £90 for a short appointment, but the price of appointment varies by provider.

Appointments are generally 10-15 minutes, but with some providers you can pay more to get a longer appointment.

You’ll typically have to pay extra for any prescriptions, blood tests or other diagnostic procedures that are needed as a result, although some providers offer packages that include some of these expenses. 

You can have appointments virtually or face-to-face. The cheapest private GP appointments are likely to be from online-only providers. 

Some high street pharmacies offer private GP appointments via recommended partners, such as Boots and Livi, but there are a number of independent providers as well. 

Some may be private-only, while others also offer NHS appointments (although you'll usually have to register with them as your primary GP, such as with GP At Hand, powered by Babylon).

Private GP appointment costs compared

We've checked prices and appointment times for the main private online GP providers. 

Check the small print of your chosen provider to see whether services such as writing a fit note carry extra charges, or are included in the advertised price.

Can I see a private GP if I have private medical insurance?

If you have private medical insurance (PMI), the chances are that you have access to a private GP. 

These services are often covered under your policy benefits, allowing you to schedule appointments directly with a private GP through your insurer. You may have the option of in-person, video appointments or both.

Some health insurance providers include this as a standard, while others offer it as an optional extra. It depends on the provider and your specific policy terms as to what level of coverage you get.

Private medical insurance may also cover the costs of prescriptions, tests or procedures recommended during the consultation, but you'll need to double-check. You can see which private health insurance providers we recommend in our guide to the best private health insurance.

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How to choose a private GP

If you just want a quick, easy-access appointment as soon as possible, you've got plenty of virtual options, and you can pick based on price and availability.

If you're keen to have a face-to-face appointment then larger private health providers, such as Bupa, are more likely to have in-person clinics near you.

Check the small print before you go ahead, so you know what to expect in terms of how long your appointment will be, and what happens if you need a prescription or follow up. 

Note that 'prescription writing' being included in the cost is not the same as the cost of the prescription being included. Private prescriptions can be pricey, and you can't typically go back to your NHS GP to request this instead (without having an appointment to confirm it's needed).

Make sure the service is legit, too. All private GP practices must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and should display the logo and their latest rating on their website. You can check how they're rated and when they were last rated, too.

You can also search for specific doctors to ensure they are registered with the General Medical Council on its medical register.

Anyone can pay for ads to appear at the top of search results, but they might not be offering the most appropriate service for you, so these basic checks will help to ensure you're looking at a legitimate provider.

GP appointment woes - why NHS appointments are hard to get hold of, and how to get through when you need to

When might you want a private GP appointment?

The main reason people choose private GP appointments is likely to be availability, speed or convenience. 

If you're struggling to get an NHS appointment at your local practice, you'll most likely find a same-day appointment with one of the above providers. 

You might find this handy to get peace of mind if certain symptoms are bothering you and you want speedy answers. But if follow-up is needed, any additional tests or treatment will cost extra and you might end up needing to go to your NHS GP anyway.

Private GPs aren't able to hand out NHS prescriptions or make NHS referrals. Instead, you'll need to pay for private prescriptions, which aren't capped at the £9.90 NHS rate (or free as they are in Scotland).

Follow up from private GPs - how does it work with the NHS?

If your care plan after a private GP appointment is looking expensive, you might wonder if you can switch back to the NHS. Since going private doesn't exclude you from NHS healthcare, you absolutely can. But it might not be the smoothest process. 

You'll likely need to book an NHS GP appointment first, and you may need to go through the diagnostic process again to see if your NHS doctor agrees with the recommendations you got from a private GP. 

The NHS guide to private care FAQs has more on what to know when accessing private care.

Best NHS and private dentists - we asked thousands of customers to rate big dental brands on value, quality of care and availability

Other ways to access a GP appointment

NHS GP appointments

Don't be put off by the news or past issues you've had. There are options, including potentially switching to another local – or digital – NHS practice if you're really struggling with your current one. 

But it's also worth raising any issues with your GP early and enlisting the help of the receptionists to triage your problem and get the help you need.

If you're looking for a new NHS GP, you can check the NHS 'Choose a GP surgery guide'. Here you can see reviews and also, using the NHS Digital GP comparison service, see how many patients are registered at different GPs.

Some NHS surgeries are tackling backlogs by hiring more specialist healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, podiatrists and musculoskeletal practitioners. 

If you call your GP surgery with a problem a specialist can help with, you may be booked in with them instead. Some people find this disconcerting, but they're often better placed to help with your problem and will refer you on to a GP if needed.

NHS self-referral

Some NHS trusts allow patients to self-refer for certain types of healthcare without seeing a GP first, such as for mental health services and podiatry. 

Check with your surgery to see if you have this option. 

Private health insurance

Some private health insurance providers include access to private GPs as part of the package, which you typically pay a monthly premium for.

Depending on your cover, you could still need to pay something for GP appointments, but it may work out cheaper than pay as you go.

See our guide to how to get the best private medical insurance for more.

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