Private GP and health screening
Private GP clinics offer appointments — often same-day, evenings and weekends — outside the NHS, for a fee. They cover much the same ground as an NHS GP (consultations, referrals, prescriptions) plus services many people pay for directly: comprehensive health screening (well-man and well-woman checks), travel clinics and vaccinations, and private blood tests. Doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), and private GP clinics in England are registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission.
What you might use a private GP for
- Faster access — same-day or out-of-hours appointments when NHS waits are long.
- Health screening — bundled checks (blood pressure, bloods, ECG and more) to review your overall health.
- Travel health — pre-travel advice, vaccinations and antimalarials.
- Private referrals and prescriptions — a private GP can refer you to a consultant or arrange tests privately.
Private and NHS together
Seeing a private GP does not remove you from NHS care — you can use both. A private prescription can usually be dispensed at any pharmacy (you pay the medicine's actual cost rather than the NHS charge). If a private GP identifies something needing ongoing NHS treatment, they can write to your NHS GP with your consent.
Choosing a clinic
Check the clinic's CQC rating where available, that its doctors are GMC-registered, and exactly what each fee includes. This page is information only, not medical advice — consult a clinician about your health.
Last updated: 2026-06-14