Why people see private GPs
NHS general practice is under enormous pressure — many surgeries book routine appointments a week or more ahead, in slots of ten minutes. A private GP typically offers a same-day or next-day appointment lasting 20–30 minutes, in person or by video, at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends.
Beyond convenience, the biggest reason is what the appointment unlocks: a private GP can issue private prescriptions, arrange rapid diagnostics (blood tests, imaging, scans — often within days) and write referral letters to private consultants, which is usually the first step to bypassing NHS waiting lists entirely.
What does a private GP cost?
Typical UK price for a 15–30 minute in-person appointment (2026). Video consultations are often cheaper, from around £40–£80.
Most private GP services in cities offer same-day or next-day appointments, including evenings and weekends.
Extras are charged separately: blood panels, vaccinations, referral letters at some clinics, and prescriptions (you pay the actual medicine cost at the pharmacy rather than the NHS flat rate — sometimes cheaper, sometimes not).
Where to find private GPs
Private GP appointments are available across the UK from several kinds of provider:
- Private hospital groups. Spire, Nuffield Health, Circle and HCA run GP services at many of their hospitals and clinics — convenient when onward referral to a consultant in the same building may follow. Find your nearest private hospital →
- Independent practices. Most cities have long-established private GP practices; London's Harley Street district alone hosts hundreds of doctors.
- Digital-first services. Video GP services offer appointments within hours, with prescriptions delivered or collected locally.
- Through health insurance. Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, The Exeter and others include virtual GP access — often unlimited and available 24/7 — within their policies.
We cover private GP availability city by city in our location guides.
Private GP vs health insurance: which do you need?
They solve different problems. Paying per appointment works well for one-off needs — a quick diagnosis, a second opinion, a prescription. But if a private GP finds something that needs specialist treatment, you'll face consultant fees, diagnostics and possibly surgery as a self-payer. Health insurance flips the model: a monthly premium (from around £42 at age 30) covers the specialist journey — and often includes the GP appointments too.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?
Yes. NHS trusts accept referral letters from any registered GP, private or NHS. In practice some trusts prefer referrals routed through your NHS GP, so the common pattern is: see a private GP for speed, then use the letter privately — or hand it to your NHS practice to process.
Do I need to deregister from my NHS GP?
No. Seeing a private GP doesn't affect your NHS registration at all. Most people use private appointments alongside their NHS practice — private for speed when it matters, NHS for ongoing and routine care. Nothing about your NHS entitlement changes.
Can private GPs prescribe the same medicines?
Almost all of them, yes — a private prescription can cover the same licensed medicines. The difference is cost: you pay the pharmacy's actual price for the medicine plus any dispensing fee, rather than the NHS flat charge. For cheap generics that's often less than the NHS charge; for expensive drugs it can be considerably more.
Is a video GP appointment as good as in person?
For many issues — infections, skin complaints (with photos), mental health, medication reviews, referrals — video works well and is faster and cheaper. Anything needing physical examination will end with advice to be seen in person. Many services let you book a follow-up in-person appointment at a reduced rate.