NHS vs Private GP: Cost, Wait Times & What You Get (UK 2026)
Comparing NHS and private GP services on cost, wait times, appointment length, prescribing, and what's actually included. From £29 online, £60 in-person.
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- Source type
- TreatCompare compiled research
- Primary source
- Provider-published information and TreatCompare research
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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NHS GP wait times averaged 15 working days in 2025. Private GPs offer same-day appointments from £29 online and £60 in-person. Here's how the two compare on cost, access, and what's included.
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 |
A private GP consultation does not give you faster access to NHS hospital care. Private GPs can write to your NHS GP asking for a referral, but the onward NHS pathway operates at the usual NHS wait. Fully private referrals go to private consultants at £200+ per appointment.
What private GPs add
- Same-day access — video consultations typically available within hours, in-person within 24–48 hours
- Longer appointments — 20–30 minutes in-person vs 10 minutes NHS
- Evening and weekend slots — most major providers operate 8am–10pm, 7 days
- Choice of doctor — in-person providers allow booking a specific GP for continuity
What NHS GPs provide that private does not
- Free prescriptions where eligible (under 16, over 60, pregnant, on benefits)
- Continuity of full medical record across NHS hospitals and specialists
- Free referral pathway to NHS consultants and hospital services
- Childhood vaccinations, smear tests, standard health checks funded under GMS contract
The hidden cost of private prescriptions
A private GP prescription charges the full cost of the medication — not the £9.90 NHS prescription charge:
| Medication category | NHS prescription | Private pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Generic antibiotic course | £9.90 in England (free in Scotland/Wales/NI) | Typically lower than the NHS charge for common generics — set by the dispensing pharmacy |
| Generic SSRI antidepressant | £9.90 | Typically lower than the NHS charge for common generics — set by the dispensing pharmacy |
| Combined oral contraceptive | Free (if eligible) | Set by the dispensing pharmacy |
| GLP-1 weight-management medicines (POMs) | NICE TA1026 — phased NHS rollout | UK regulations restrict displaying medicine-brand prices; see the weight-management hub for the patient-information landing |
For common generic medicines, a private dispensing-pharmacy cost is often lower than the £9.90 NHS prescription charge. For prescription-only specialist medicines (such as GLP-1 weight-management products), the private dispensing cost can be substantially higher, and NHS pathways may not fund the medicine at all. UK Human Medicines Regulations 2012 restrict the advertising of prescription medicines to the public, so TreatCompare publishes service-level cost information rather than medicine-brand prices.
Can a private GP refer to the NHS?
Yes, but with limits. A private GP can write to your NHS GP requesting a referral. Your NHS GP may accept the request or reassess you first. Private GP consultation does not bypass the NHS waiting list — the referral still joins the usual NHS queue.
For a fully private pathway (private consultant, private hospital), each step is billed separately: GP £60–200, consultant £200–350, scans £150–500, procedures from £1,000+.
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- Private GP Consultation Guide — full breakdown of online, in-person, and home visit pricing
- Livi vs Push Doctor — two major online GP services compared
- Private Blood Test Guide — when to skip a GP referral
Frequently asked questions
How long do you typically wait for an NHS GP appointment?
NHS GP wait times averaged 15 working days in 2025. Private GPs offer same-day video appointments from £29 and same-day or next-day in-person appointments from £60. Most major private providers also operate evenings and weekends 8am–10pm, 7 days a week.
How much does a private GP cost compared to an NHS GP?
An NHS GP appointment is free, while private GP appointments cost £29–£75 online and £60–£200 in-person. Private appointments are typically longer too — 20–30 minutes in-person versus 10 minutes on the NHS — and usually offer choice of doctor for continuity.
Can a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?
A private GP can write to your NHS GP requesting a referral, but your NHS GP may accept the request or reassess you first. Importantly, this does not bypass the NHS waiting list — the referral still joins the usual NHS queue. A fully private pathway is billed separately: GP £60–£200, consultant £200–£350, scans £150–£500, and procedures from £1,000.
Are private GP prescriptions lower-cost than NHS prescriptions?
It depends on the drug. For common generics, private prescriptions often cost less than the £9.90 NHS charge — amoxicillin runs £5–£8 and sertraline £3–£12 privately. For prescription-only weight-management medicines (POMs) such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, UK Human Medicines Regulations 2012 restrict the advertising of prescription medicines to the public, so TreatCompare does not display UK prices on consumer pages. NHS access to these medicines is decided by NICE and NHS England commissioning policy.
What does the NHS GP provide that a private GP does not?
NHS GPs provide free prescriptions for eligible patients (under 16, over 60, pregnant, on benefits), continuity of the full medical record across NHS hospitals and specialists, the free referral pathway to NHS consultants, and childhood vaccinations, smear tests and standard health checks funded under the GMS contract.
Do private GP records go on my NHS record?
No — private GP records are kept separately and only shared with your NHS record if you choose to share them. NHS GPs use your full NHS record by default; private GPs maintain their own records that can be shared on request.
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Prescription Costs
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Home Visit Costs
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Private GP NHS Referrals
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