Is it worth paying for a private GP?

Seeing a private GP or consultant can seem like an attractive option when NHS waiting lists are long. But is it worth paying for private medical care? There are pros and cons to weigh up.

What is a private GP?

A private GP, also known as a private family doctor, is a general practitioner (GP) who offers medical services outside the NHS.

You pay to see a private GP or consultant directly, rather than getting referred through the NHS. Appointments are available much more quickly, often within a few days or weeks.

Private GPs provide similar services to NHS GPs, including:

• General health checks and screening
• Diagnosing conditions
• Prescribing medication
• Referrals to specialists

Many private GPs are also NHS GPs working outside their NHS hours.

Why do people see a private GP?

There are several reasons why people choose private healthcare over the NHS:

Shorter waiting times

The biggest factor is the speed of access. Waiting times on the NHS can be several weeks or months for non-urgent appointments and procedures. Paying privately means you can been seen almost immediately.

Flexible appointments

You can get appointments at short notice and at times that suit you, including evenings and weekends. NHS GPs tend to operate mostly during working hours.

Longer consultations

Private GPs typically offer 30-60 minute consultations compared to the standard 10 minutes with an NHS GP. This allows more time to discuss health concerns.

Private prescription

A private GP can prescribe medications that NHS GPs may be reluctant to prescribe, like some painkillers.

Referrals to specialists

Private GPs can refer you directly to a specialist like a cardiologist, dermatologist or orthopaedist. This skips NHS waiting lists.

Private hospitals

Seeing a private GP gives access to treatment in private hospitals rather than NHS hospitals.

Non-emergency conditions

Some people prefer to keep minor conditions like sinusitis, joint pain or skin conditions separate from their NHS records.

How much does a private GP cost?

The cost of seeing a private GP varies around the country.

• An initial consultation usually costs £150-£250.
• Follow-up appointments are around £100-£200.
• Home and out of hours visits cost extra.

There are several private GP clinics in Chester such as Ghosh Medical, Spire Murrayfield Chester Hospital and Nuffield Health Chester Hospital that offer consultations from around £150.

Medications prescribed privately must be paid for. With a private prescription you pay the full market price, rather than the standard NHS prescription fee of £9.35 per item in England.

You also pay additional fees for diagnostic tests like blood tests, x-rays and MRI scans.

Pros of seeing a private GP

There are advantages to paying to see a private GP:

• Shorter waiting times– Jump long NHS queues to be seen quickly
• Flexible appointments– Get appointments that fit around work or family commitments
• Time– Longer and often out of hours appointments
• Privacy– Keep medical issues off NHS records
• Control your care– Choose your specialist rather than being referred
• Quality of care– Consultants often have excellent private facilities and more time per patient
• Convenience– Many private GPs allow you to book, change or cancel appointments online

Cons of seeing a private GP

There are also some downsides:

• Cost– The main disadvantage. Going private can be expensive, especially for ongoing treatments.
• Limited medical history– The private GP won’t have access to your NHS notes and test results.
• Referrals and follow-ups– NHS GPs are better placed to coordinate referrals and consultations between different specialists.
• NHS know-how– Private GPs won’t necessarily know how long waiting times are on the NHS or have links with NHS specialists.
• Medications– Private prescriptions come at full cost which may be higher than NHS.
• Emergencies– Private cover does not help for medical emergencies or intensive treatments as you get transferred to the NHS.

What does private health insurance cover?

Some people have private medical insurance that covers the costs of private GP appointments and specialist consultations.

What’s covered depends on your health insurance policy. Basic private GP cover may include:

• Consultation fees to see a private GP
• Referral fees
• Fees for diagnostics tests like x-rays and blood tests
• Cost of prescribed medications

Full private medical insurance usually also covers the costs of:

• Treatment in a private hospital
• Surgery
• Overnight stays and nursing care
• Fees for specialists like surgeons and cardiologists
• Alternative therapies like physiotherapy and osteopathy

Always check exactly what your health insurance policy covers before booking any private appointment.

There are often annual limits on claims, and restrictions on pre-existing conditions.

Is going private worth the money?

Whether it’s worth paying to see a private GP depends on your circumstances and priorities.

Non-urgent issues

For non-urgent, quality of life issues like joint pain, skin conditions, anxiety or menopause symptoms, it can be worth paying for prompt specialist attention.

Rather than waiting weeks or months on the NHS to see a consultant, you could be diagnosed and starting treatment through a private GP within days.

Payment plans like health insurance spread the cost out over time.

Serious illness

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, private healthcare can provide more options for prompt treatment.

You may get faster access to tests, surgery, chemotherapy and other follow-up care. Some life-saving treatments are only available privately.

The NHS may partly or fully fund treatment in a private facility if waiting lists are too long.

One-off health issues

For a one-off health complaint, it’s debatable whether private GP treatment is good value.

Minor problems often resolve with time. Paying privately for a quick diagnosis of something like back pain may not be worth the high cost.

Reviewing your options with an NHS GP first could help decide if going private is worthwhile.

Emergency care

In a medical emergency, private healthcare does not help much. You would still be treated in an NHS A&E department rather than a private hospital.

So for emergency care and intensive treatments like major surgery or childbirth, private cover has less benefit. The NHS provides high quality urgent care for all.

Pre-existing conditions

Those with chronic health conditions like diabetes or asthma that require ongoing monitoring and treatment through the NHS may not find private cover useful.

Private health plans also tend to exclude pre-existing conditions.

Limited budget

If money is tight, paying £100 or more per appointment may simply not be affordable. The NHS provides free healthcare to all, regardless of income.

But even those on a limited budget could potentially save up for a one-off private consultation. Some private GPs offer reduced rates to the unemployed or students.

Questions to help decide

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when weighing up whether to see a private GP:

• How urgent is my condition? Could I wait for an NHS appointment?
• Does my quality of life need immediate improvement?
• Will I require follow-up treatment that may not be covered privately?
• Do I already have a long-term condition that requires NHS care?
• Is this a one time or recurring issue?
• Can I afford private treatment, or do I have health insurance to cover it?
• Am I able to get to a private clinic, or will I need home visits?
• Are there NHS alternatives like pharmacy advice or self-care I can try first?

Discussing the pros and cons with your NHS GP can help decide if paying for private care is right for you.

About the author

This article was written by a freelance health journalist with over 5 years experience writing for UK publications like the Daily Mail, The Telegraph and London Evening Standard.

Summary

Private GPs and specialists offer shorter waiting times and more flexibility than the NHS. This comes at a high cost, with each consultation around £150-£250.

Seeing a private GP makes sense for non-urgent conditions where your quality of life is impacted. It gives faster access to diagnosis, treatment and referrals.

But for one-off minor ailments or serious emergencies, the NHS still provides the most cost-effective care.

Consider your budget, existing health conditions and the urgency of your needs. Discuss the options with your NHS GP before committing to private treatment.