When patients first come to see me at Victoria Medical, many of them arrive with a version of the same question: "I know this is a private clinic — but what exactly does that mean for me?" It is a fair question, and one I am always glad to answer. Private general practice in the UK operates alongside the NHS rather than in opposition to it. Understanding what a private GP does — and what they cannot do — helps you make an informed decision about your healthcare rather than a reactive one driven by frustration with waiting times.
The short answer is this: a private GP provides the same clinical services as an NHS GP — consultations, examinations, diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, and health monitoring — but without the constraints of NHS appointment availability, time limits, or administrative gatekeeping. You book when you need to, you are seen promptly, and you have the time to discuss everything that is concerning you.
What Services Does a Private GP Provide?
A private GP provides the full range of primary care services. At Victoria Medical, our private GP consultations cover the same clinical scope as NHS general practice — the difference lies in the depth of assessment, the time available, and the speed of access to further investigations and specialist referrals.
In practical terms, a private GP consultation at Victoria Medical typically lasts 30 minutes — compared to the NHS average of approximately 9–10 minutes[1]. That additional time matters. Research confirms that longer consultations are associated with better recognition of long-term and psychosocial problems, improved hypertension control, and more thorough health promotion discussions[1]. It also means you can raise multiple concerns in a single appointment without feeling rushed.
Consultations and examinations
Comprehensive assessment of symptoms, physical examination, and clinical history — with time to explore the full picture.
Diagnosis and investigation
Same-day access to blood tests, ECG, and ultrasound scans at the same clinic — no separate referral required.
Prescriptions
Private prescriptions issued on the day, valid at any UK pharmacy. Repeat prescriptions and medication reviews also available.
Specialist referrals
Direct referral to NHS or private consultants — cardiologists, gynaecologists, gastroenterologists, and more — with a full clinical letter.
Health checks and screening
Comprehensive health assessments, cardiovascular risk profiling, cancer screening coordination, and preventive health planning.
Sick notes and certificates
Fit notes (sick notes), insurance medical reports, travel vaccination certificates, and employer medical certificates.
Chronic disease management
Ongoing management of hypertension, diabetes, thyroid conditions, and other long-term conditions — with continuity of care from the same doctor.
Travel medicine
Travel health consultations, vaccination advice, malaria prophylaxis, and travel health certificates for international trips.
Do You Need to Leave Your NHS GP?
No — and this is one of the most important points I make to new patients. Seeing a private GP does not require you to deregister from your NHS GP. The two systems operate in parallel, and most of my patients maintain their NHS registration while using Victoria Medical for consultations that require prompt attention, longer appointment times, or access to same-day diagnostics.
In practice, patients often use private GP services for specific situations — a concerning symptom that cannot wait two weeks for an NHS appointment, a second opinion on a diagnosis, a comprehensive health check, or access to a specialist referral more quickly than the NHS pathway allows. For routine NHS-covered care — annual diabetic reviews, childhood immunisations, cervical smear tests — the NHS remains the appropriate route.
Continuity of care is a well-established clinical benefit. A 2025 systematic review in the British Journal of General Practice found that personal GP continuity is associated with reduced mortality, fewer hospital admissions, and better management of long-term conditions[6]. At Victoria Medical, we actively support continuity: we send a clinical summary to your NHS GP after every consultation, ensuring your complete medical record remains up to date regardless of which sector you use.
| Feature | NHS GP | Private GP (Victoria Medical) |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment availability | Days to weeks — 1 in 20 patients waits 4+ weeks | Same-day or next-day |
| Consultation length | 9–10 minutes average | 30 minutes standard |
| Cost | Free at point of use | Fee per consultation |
| Diagnostics on the day | Rarely — separate referral required | Blood tests, ECG, ultrasound same visit |
| Specialist referral speed | Weeks to months via NHS pathway | Direct referral, often within days |
| Continuity of care | Variable — often different GP each visit | Same doctor at every appointment |
| Prescriptions | NHS prescription (£9.90 per item) | Private prescription (pharmacy cost varies) |
| Deregistration required? | N/A | No — keep your NHS GP |
Prescriptions and Referrals from a Private GP
A private GP is a fully qualified, GMC-registered doctor with the same prescribing authority as an NHS GP. At Victoria Medical, I can prescribe any medication that an NHS GP can prescribe — the difference is that private prescriptions are not subsidised by the NHS, so you pay the pharmacy's full cost for the medication rather than the NHS prescription charge.
For common medications, private prescription costs are often comparable to or lower than the NHS prescription charge of £9.90 per item. For branded or specialist medications, costs may be higher. I always discuss the cost implications with patients and, where clinically appropriate, can write to your NHS GP requesting that they continue a prescription on the NHS.
Referrals from a private GP carry the same clinical weight as NHS referrals. I can refer you to any NHS consultant via the NHS e-Referral Service, or to a private specialist of your choice. A qualitative study published in Cureus in 2025 found that the speed of specialist access was one of the primary factors driving patients to choose private healthcare — physicians interviewed noted that private referrals could be completed within days rather than the weeks or months typical of NHS pathways[4].
At Victoria Medical, one of the genuine advantages of our multidisciplinary model is that many referrals can be completed within the same building. If I assess a patient with palpitations and determine they need an ECG and echocardiogram, both tests can be performed on the same day by our consultant cardiologist — eliminating the weeks of waiting that would otherwise separate a GP appointment from a cardiology investigation.
What a Private GP Referral Can Access
The NHS Waiting Time Context
I want to be clear that I have enormous respect for the NHS and for the GPs who work within it under extraordinary pressure. The decision to use private GP services is not a criticism of the NHS — it is a pragmatic response to a system that is genuinely under strain. NHS Digital data for November 2023 showed that 1.5 million GP appointments — 4.8% of the 31.9 million held that month — took place four weeks or more after they were booked, and 17.3% of all appointments involved a wait of at least two weeks[5].
The Royal College of GPs has noted that the average number of patients per GP in England has risen to 2,290 — 147 more than in December 2019 — while the number of fully qualified GPs has fallen. Research confirms that NHS GP consultation length averages 9–10 minutes, with studies showing that consultations for patients with multiple conditions are often shorter in more deprived areas where need is greatest[3].
Against this backdrop, private GP services fill a specific gap: they provide prompt, thorough primary care for patients who cannot afford to wait, who have complex or multiple concerns that require more than ten minutes, or who need same-day access to diagnostics and specialist referrals. This is not a luxury — for a patient with chest pain, a new breast lump, or unexplained weight loss, a two-week wait for a GP appointment is a clinical risk.
When a Private GP Makes Sense
Based on my experience at Victoria Medical, the patients who benefit most from private GP services fall into a number of clear categories. Understanding which applies to you helps clarify whether private primary care is the right choice for your situation.
You cannot get a timely NHS appointment
If you have a symptom that concerns you and cannot wait two to four weeks for an NHS appointment, a private GP provides same-day or next-day access. This is particularly relevant for new or worsening symptoms that require prompt assessment.
You have multiple concerns to discuss
NHS consultations average 9–10 minutes. If you have several symptoms or questions — a new symptom, a medication query, and a blood test result to discuss — a 30-minute private consultation allows you to address everything without feeling rushed.
You need same-day diagnostics
At Victoria Medical, blood tests, ECG, and ultrasound scans are available in the same building on the same day. If your GP suspects a cardiac, gynaecological, or haematological cause for your symptoms, investigations can begin immediately rather than after a separate referral.
You need a faster specialist referral
NHS referral-to-treatment waiting times have a median of 12.4 weeks. A private GP referral to a private specialist can often be completed within days. For conditions where early diagnosis changes outcomes — cardiac arrhythmia, ovarian pathology, thyroid disease — speed matters.
You are an expat or temporary resident
If you are not registered with an NHS GP — because you have recently moved to the UK, are visiting London for an extended period, or are between NHS registrations — a private GP provides immediate primary care access without the administrative barriers of NHS registration.
You want continuity with the same doctor
Research consistently shows that patients who see the same GP over time have better health outcomes, lower hospital admission rates, and higher satisfaction[2]. At Victoria Medical, you see the same doctor at every appointment — something that is increasingly difficult to guarantee in NHS general practice.
What Happens at a Private GP Appointment?
Many patients who have never seen a private GP before are unsure what to expect. The clinical process is identical to an NHS consultation — the difference is in the environment, the time available, and the speed of access to further care. Here is what a typical appointment at Victoria Medical looks like.
Booking
Call 020 3146 9508 or book online. No GP referral is required. Same-day and next-day appointments are typically available. Tell us your main concern when booking so we can allocate the right appointment length.
Arrival and check-in
Our clinic is at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, two minutes from Victoria Station. You will be seen promptly at your appointment time — we do not operate a waiting room queue system.
The consultation
Your appointment lasts 30 minutes. Dr Xynopoulos will take a full clinical history, examine you as appropriate, and discuss your concerns without time pressure. You are encouraged to ask questions and raise everything on your mind.
Investigations if needed
If blood tests, an ECG, or an ultrasound scan are clinically indicated, these can be arranged immediately at the same clinic. Results are typically available the same day or within 24 hours.
Prescription or referral
If medication is required, a private prescription is issued on the day. If specialist referral is needed, a full clinical letter is prepared and the referral is made directly — to a private specialist or via NHS e-Referral.
Clinical summary to your NHS GP
With your consent, a clinical summary is sent to your NHS GP after every appointment, ensuring your complete medical record remains current and your NHS care is not disrupted.
Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Have:
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. Private GP services are not an emergency service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private GP appointment cost?
At Victoria Medical, a standard 30-minute GP consultation is available at a fixed fee. You can view our current pricing on our pricing page. There are no hidden charges — if investigations such as blood tests or an ECG are required, these are priced separately and you will be informed of the cost before proceeding.
Can a private GP issue a sick note?
Yes. A private GP can issue a fit note (commonly called a sick note) for any period of illness. Private fit notes are legally valid and accepted by employers and the Department for Work and Pensions. We can also provide medical certificates for insurance purposes, travel, or employer requirements.
Will my private GP appointment be covered by health insurance?
Many private health insurance policies cover GP consultations, particularly if you are referred by your insurer. We recommend checking your policy before booking. We accept most major insurers. If you are self-paying, we provide a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement if your policy allows.
Can I see a private GP without being registered with an NHS GP?
Yes. You do not need to be registered with an NHS GP to see a private GP. This makes private GP services particularly useful for expats, visitors to London, patients between NHS registrations, or those who have recently moved and have not yet registered locally.
Can a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?
Yes. A private GP can refer you to an NHS consultant via the NHS e-Referral Service, just as an NHS GP would. You can also choose to be referred to a private specialist for faster access. We discuss both options with every patient and help you choose the pathway that best suits your clinical needs and circumstances.
What is the difference between a private GP and a walk-in centre?
A walk-in centre provides urgent, episodic care for minor illnesses and injuries — typically by a nurse practitioner or junior doctor, without continuity or follow-up. A private GP provides comprehensive primary care: a thorough consultation with a senior doctor, the ability to manage complex or chronic conditions, prescriptions, referrals, and ongoing continuity of care. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.
References
- [1] Elmore N, Burt J, Abel G, et al. Investigating the relationship between consultation length and patient experience: a cross-sectional study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(653):e896–e903. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X687733
- [2] Jeffers H, Baker M. Continuity of care: still important in modern-day general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(649):396–397. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X686185
- [3] Gopfert A, Deeny SR, Fisher R, Stafford M. Primary care consultation length by deprivation and multimorbidity in England: an observational study using electronic patient records. Br J Gen Pract. 2021;71(704):e185–e192. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp20X714029
- [4] Veerappan V, Burway S, Saji A, Sukumar P, Laughey W. Physician perspectives on factors that influence patients' choice between the NHS and private healthcare: a qualitative study. Cureus. 2025;17(2):e78331. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78331
- [5] NHS Digital. Appointments in General Practice, November 2023. NHS England. Published January 2024. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/appointments-in-general-practice/november-2023
- [6] Engström SG, Carlsson A, Nilsson G, et al. Personal GP continuity improves healthcare outcomes in primary care: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract. 2025;75(757):e518–e526. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2024.0447