Booking a GP appointment on the NHS in 2026 remains a lottery in many parts of England, the 8am scramble, three-week routine waits, and short consultation slots have pushed a growing number of adults to book a private GP for anything from a same-day sick note to a longer diagnostic conversation. This guide covers what a private GP appointment actually costs in the UK, what to expect from the visit, when a private GP is the right call, and what a private GP legally cannot do for you.

What a private GP appointment costs

Prices in 2026 are more transparent than they were even two years ago, largely because remote-first providers (Livi, Push Doctor, Babylon successor services) have forced the market to publish rate cards. Typical UK ranges:

Appointment type	Typical price
Remote video GP appointment (15 min)	£39, £65
In-person private GP appointment (15 min)	£75, £145
Extended appointment (30 min)	£145, £250
Home visit	£195, £350 (plus travel)
Private prescription (issue fee only)	£15, £30 + medication cost
Basic blood panel (FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT)	£120, £220
Comprehensive health screen	£395, £950

London private GP clinics (Harley Street and City postcodes) sit at the upper end. Regional clinics and hospital-attached private GP services typically fall in the middle. Membership models (Bupa, GPDQ, Numan-style subscriptions) reduce per-visit cost but tie you into monthly fees whether or not you use the service.

What a private GP can do

• Same-day or next-day appointments, often with a choice of time slots.
• Longer consultations, 15 to 30 minutes is standard, versus the NHS median of 9 minutes.
• Private prescriptions for most medications (with important exceptions, see below).
• Referrals to consultants, both private and, in some cases, NHS (see the NHS referral section below).
• Blood tests, ECGs, and basic diagnostics either on-site or through affiliated private labs.
• Sick notes and fit notes for employers.
• Travel health advice and vaccinations.
• Sexual health screening with faster turnaround than most NHS routes.

What a private GP cannot do

Two categories matter:

Controlled drugs and specialist prescribing. A private GP will not usually prescribe ADHD stimulants, opioid-strength painkillers, hormone therapies outside routine HRT, or specialist psychiatric medications on a first appointment. Most of these require a specialist assessment first, often through a formal shared-care route.

Force an NHS referral. A private GP can write a referral letter, but whether the NHS consultant accepts you as an NHS patient (rather than a private one) depends on your local ICB's policy and the referring evidence. Many NHS providers now require the referral to originate from your registered NHS GP.

When a private GP is the right call

• You need a same-day sick note or a fit-note conversation for work.
• You want a longer conversation about a complex symptom picture your NHS GP hasn't had time to unpick.
• You need a second opinion or a specialist referral quickly.
• You're abroad temporarily and need remote UK-registered clinical support.
• You need rapid diagnostics (bloods, imaging referrals) before an upcoming decision, surgery, insurance, travel.

When to stay with the NHS

• Emergencies: 999 or A&E. Private GPs do not replace emergency care.
• Chronic condition management already stable on the NHS: switching prescribers mid-treatment for a controlled drug creates continuity risks.
• Complex mental health requiring a formal specialist assessment: use a dedicated private psychiatric route or a Right to Choose pathway.

What to check before you book

• CQC registration. All UK private GP providers should be CQC registered. The registration number is usually in the footer of their website.
• GMC registration and current licence. Search the individual GP on the GMC register. "GP" on a booking site is not enough, verify the GMC number.
• Written cancellation and refund policy. Same-day cancellations often cost 50 to 100% of the fee.
• Prescription policy. Confirm which medications are excluded from routine private prescribing. This avoids paying for an appointment that ends in "we can't prescribe that here".
• Referral pathway. If a referral is a likely outcome, ask upfront whether the GP can refer into the NHS or only into private consultants.

What Take a Seat does differently

Every private GP listed on Take a Seat is a UK-registered doctor on the GMC register with an active licence to practise, working from a CQC-registered clinic or a compliant remote-consultation platform. We publish each GP's typical appointment length, prescription policy, and referral routes on their profile, no surprise exclusions when you arrive.

If you're not sure whether a GP or a specialist is the right first step, start our 90-second pathway and we'll route you to the correct pathway.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an NHS prescription from a private GP?

No, a private GP issues a private prescription that you pay for at market rate at the pharmacy. Only your NHS GP or an NHS-contracted prescriber can issue an NHS prescription eligible for the standard NHS charge.

Will a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?

Sometimes. A private GP can write a referral letter, but the NHS trust or Integrated Care Board decides whether to accept the referral. Many NHS specialist services now require referrals to come from your registered NHS GP, so a private referral may need to be re-routed through your NHS practice.

How much is a private GP appointment in London?

Same-day in-person appointments in central London typically cost £120, £195 for a standard 15-minute slot, with Harley Street clinics reaching £250+ for 30-minute consultations. Remote video appointments from London-based clinics start around £45, £65.

Are private GP appointments confidential from my NHS GP?

Yes, private consultations are confidential, and details are not shared with your NHS GP unless you consent. However, when medication or continuity of care is involved, it is usually in your interest to have the private GP write to your NHS GP so both records align.

Do private GPs prescribe ADHD medication?

Very rarely on a first appointment. ADHD medication requires a specialist psychiatric assessment before initial prescribing. See our full guide on private ADHD assessment in the UK for the correct pathway.

Can I use my private health insurance for a private GP?

Some policies (Bupa By You, AXA, Vitality) include a private GP benefit, either through their own network or a set number of Digital GP appointments per year. Check whether your policy covers primary care specifically, many policies cover only specialist referrals initiated by an NHS GP.