Wondering if seeing a private GP is actually worth it?
If you’re currently waiting for a routine appointment, a second opinion, a scan, or you need something documented quickly, going private might be worth considering – though in some situations it doesn’t get you what you need.
Now the biggest debate around going private versus going through the NHS is cost and waiting time. However, there are other things worth weighing up, including unpaid time off, repeated callbacks, and the stress of not knowing.
In this post, we’ll give you our honest opinion on when a private GP helps, when it doesn’t and how to decide which pathway is right for you.
When A Private GP Helps
Private GP care isn’t necessarily better care – there are just certain situations where paying genuinely changes what happens next.
When you need to be seen quickly
This is the most obvious one, but it’s true: getting seen by a private GP is a lot quicker than seeing a doctor through the NHS. A private GP appointment can often be booked within one or two days of you calling, or even on the same day.
This is because private GPs have shorter waiting lists and can also offer more flexible appointments. Some clinics even offer evening and weekend appointments, so you’re not having to book time off, which is ideal for busy professionals.
When ten minutes isn’t enough
Most NHS appointments are around ten minutes long, which is a problem if you’ve got several things going on, a complex history, or something that needs more time to explain.
Private GP appointments are typically 20-30 minutes, and you can often choose which GP you want to see and go back to the same one. This matters more than people think, especially when describing symptoms that have changed over time.
When you want answers sooner
Going private gives you direct access to blood tests, scans and imaging without waiting for an NHS pathway to open up, and results usually come back a lot faster. Some clinics may also offer minor surgery such as removal of moles, cysts and lipomas.
This avoids the stress of not knowing and having to wait a long time to rule some things out. If you are currently on an NHS waiting list, seeing a private GP doesn’t mean you will lose your position – it simply sits alongside your care as opposed to replacing it.
When you want a second opinion
If you’ve been told nothing’s wrong and you’re not convinced, a second opinion is a reasonable thing to ask for.
A fresh opinion from someone who has more time to go through your history properly can either confirm what you’ve already been told, which can give you peace of mind, or pick up something that was missed – so it’s worth it more often than not.
When A Private GP Doesn’t Help
Sometimes going private costs you money without changing anything, and it’s worth knowing when before you book an appointment.
When it’s urgent
If you need emergency care, a private GP isn’t the one. If you’re experiencing chest pain, symptoms of a stroke, trouble breathing, severe bleeding or a serious injury, you need to call 999 or go to A&E.
Booking a private GP appointment in this instance is only going to cost you time. If something is urgent, the NHS is usually faster than anything you can pay for. For urgent but non-emergency problems, the NHS 111 helpline will direct you to the best place to get help if you can’t get hold of your GP.
When what you need is a prescription
This one catches people out. A private prescription is charged at the full cost (in England) of the medication plus a pharmacy dispensing fee. So even if you are exempt through the NHS, it won’t apply or carry across when going private.
This means that you are likely to pay more than a standard NHS prescription charge. There are also additional restrictions around controlled drugs, which can’t be prescribed electronically on a private prescription and need specific paperwork.
When you need treatment, not a diagnosis
Going private can get you diagnosed faster. However, it doesn’t move you up the queue for NHS treatment afterwards. If you need surgery or specialist treatment, you join the same waiting list you would have joined if you’d gone through the NHS in the first place.
A private consultation can only shorten the time it takes to find out what’s wrong, but it doesn’t shorten the waiting list for the thing that fixes it.
When your condition needs ongoing management
Long-term conditions that need monitoring, repeat bloods, medication reviews and adjustment over time are usually better managed in one place, by a team who hold your full record.
Splitting that across two systems could create gaps. Private consultation notes don’t automatically appear in your NHS record unless they’re shared, and the BMA actively discourages shared care arrangements between NHS and private providers.
How To Work Out If A Private GP Is Worth It for You
To assess whether or not going private is worth it for you and your health, it’s important to ask yourself some key questions first:
- What do I actually want out of this? (a diagnosis, test, referral, document, or reassurance)
- What’s the real NHS wait for that specific thing right now?
- Is there an NHS route that’s already quick? (pharmacy, 111, a self-referral service)
- Is this a one-off, or the start of something that needs ongoing management/treatment?
- If the news is bad, what happens next – can I fund the follow-up, or am I coming back to the NHS anyway?
Following that, iIt’s also worth doing some calculations too. Add up the cost of an initial consultation, any tests or scans, private medication and follow-up appointments, then set that against unpaid leave, lost earnings, travel and childcare across repeated NHS appointments.
The bottom line is that private care buys you time, access and attention. It doesn’t buy you a different NHS waiting list, and it doesn’t change what your condition actually needs. When the thing standing between you and an answer is a queue, paying often helps.
Want To Know If Going Private Is Worth It?
At The Lagom Clinic, we offer a range of healthcare services, including private GP appointments where you can ask a doctor about anything – new symptoms, ongoing conditions or a second opinion.
Our appointments last between 30 minutes to an hour and are priced at £125, allowing you to take time to explain exactly what’s going on without feeling pressured or rushed.
We also provide services beyond a traditional practice, including health screenings, lifestyle and wellness consultations, and expert sports performance advice and medicine.
If you’d like more information on how a private GP can help, get in touch with our friendly team today and book an appointment to start your journey with us.
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