NHS vs Private GP: Is It Worth Paying? (UK 2026)

NHS GP wait times averaged 15 working days in 2025 — and for many patients, it's been much longer. Private GPs offer same-day appointments from £29 online. But is it worth paying? Here's a honest comparison.

NHS vs Private GP: side by side

| | NHS GP | Private GP (online) | Private GP (in-person) | |-|--------|-------------------|----------------------| | Cost | Free | £29–75 | £60–200 | | Wait time | Days to weeks | Same day | Same day/next day | | Appointment length | 10 min | 10–15 min | 20–30 min | | Evening/weekend | Limited | Yes (most providers) | Some | | Choice of doctor | Usually no | Sometimes | Yes | | Continuity | May see different GPs | Varies | Can book same GP | | Prescriptions | £9.90/item (or free) | Full price + consultation | Full price + consultation | | Records | Full NHS record | Separate (can share) | Separate (can share) | | Referrals | NHS pathway | Private or NHS pathway | Private or NHS pathway |

When private is clearly worth it

1. You need a same-day prescription — UTI, chest infection, travel medication. £29 for a video GP beats losing a day of work waiting for an NHS callback.

2. Mental health — NHS IAPT waiting lists are 6-18 weeks. A private GP can prescribe SSRIs today and refer you to therapy.

3. Workplace sick note — you're ill now, not in two weeks when you can get an NHS appointment.

4. Second opinion — you're not satisfied with your NHS GP's assessment.

5. Convenience — you're travelling, working abroad, or can't take time off for a daytime appointment.

When NHS is the better choice

1. Ongoing chronic conditions — your NHS GP has your full history, medications, and continuity
2. Free prescriptions — if you're exempt (under 16, over 60, pregnant, on benefits, etc.)
3. Cost over time — multiple appointments add up at £50+ each
4. Complex referral pathways — NHS referrals to hospital consultants are free; private referrals lead to private consultant fees (£200+)
5. Childhood vaccinations, smear tests, health checks — all free on NHS

The hidden cost of private prescriptions

When a private GP prescribes, you pay the full cost of the medication — not the £9.90 NHS prescription charge. Examples:

| Medication | NHS prescription | Private pharmacy | |-----------|-----------------|-----------------| | Amoxicillin (antibiotics) | £9.90 | £5–8 | | Sertraline (antidepressant) | £9.90 | £3–12 | | Contraceptive pill | Free | £10–25 | | Mounjaro (weight loss) | N/A (not on NHS) | £119–249 |

For cheap generic drugs, private prescriptions can actually cost less than £9.90. For expensive branded drugs, it can cost significantly more.

Can a private GP refer me to the NHS?

Yes, but it's complicated. A private GP can write to your NHS GP asking them to refer you. Your NHS GP may agree, or may want to assess you themselves first. You cannot bypass NHS waiting lists by paying for a private GP consultation — the GP consultation is private, but the referral goes back into the NHS queue.

For a fully private pathway (private consultant, private hospital), you'd pay for each step separately.

Compare private GP prices on our Private GP page. See also: Blood test guide.