Private GP appointments 😧

And anyone tempted to vote Reform should remember their plan to privatise the nhs

Thankfully, things have greatly improved at my surgery and I can get through quite quickly these days. I have just received a letter inviting me to make an appointment for a review of my hypertension and I have it on Tuesday. But Mr P has had to wait for two weeks for his appointment and I would like to see that improve. It's a sorry state of affairs that GPs are setting themselves up in private practices. If they go down the same route as the dentists then getting a NHS GP appointment will become very difficult.

Aveline
Hoping that list of private GPs aren't the same GPs at your practice!

It costs $91 for a 5 minute appointment here . The government refunds just half. Don’t go this way, really, just don’t.

Crikey Aveline, that’s punitive especially for the first doctor. And only 15 minutes with an extra 5 minute fir £50.
That’s a pretty good hourly rate. I wonder how many patients he has.
Yes, do persevere with your surgery. You can always read or play on your phone while you’re still patient number 38, whilst being assured that your call is important.

I did take a look at this option - unwillingly, it has to be said - and decided it was just too expensive.

It is sad that people are even looking into this - my late OH was GP - what he would think about this mess I do not know.

Our surgery has vastly improved with their new digital services and online assistance.

They have tablets on reception to help people to access this services and all nurse services can still be booked by phone.

It’s not ideal but it does work.

£££+ for 15 minutes ?! . 😦

In desperation we saw an ent specialist privately. £200 but then had to pay the hospital £180 for the use of the microscope and £28 for the prescription.
But it's the vets that really amazes me.
I really appreciate the nhs now.

We should all appreciate how lucky we are when compared to other places, especially the USA!

I have had 1/2 hour with a cardiologist for less.

There has just opened up in my City a Private GP Practice with starting prices for minor problems £40.
Private GP's won't have your medical History but for some people it's just reassurance.
Doctors don't come cheap, I know for a fact that a Hospital Consultant working a satellite NHS clinic off site (of the Hospital) earns £1000 for 4 hours.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-4e541g-screenshot-20250622-155629.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-cgmf1h-screenshot-20250622-155646.png

Of course the first appointment is only for their time with you. Here are some of their other charges.

I did on online consultation with my surgery and within two days was being sent for an x ray so I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Albeit not knowing at what speed everything will progress from now on.

There's a private GP practice near me, run by GPs whose names I recognise because they used to be in NHS practices. It's no wonder that NHS practices can't find staff.

Ive seen a private GP a couple of times eg weekends when I had a really bad chest infection Cost was £60 including antibiotics.

It's £55 for a private GP appointment where I live

When I worked for a GP surgery in the 90's and 00's we had one private patient family - yes you have guessed it - the local MP. They got appointments without waiting.

I paid £100 for a GP appt. The experience was much better than NHS. I checked in with a real person not a digital board. She was very pleasant and told me to take a seat and help myself to a drink from a machine. It was all so more relaxing than at my surgery. The female Dr was lovely and we chatted for ages at no extra cost. I did have to pay extra for a scan.

Grandmadinosaur

I paid £100 for a GP appt. The experience was much better than NHS. I checked in with a real person not a digital board. She was very pleasant and told me to take a seat and help myself to a drink from a machine. It was all so more relaxing than at my surgery. The female Dr was lovely and we chatted for ages at no extra cost. I did have to pay extra for a scan.

That's fine for people who can afford £100 (+ extra for scans), but what about those who can't afford it? Private practices are leaching NHS GPs, so it's even more difficult for NHS patients to see a GP. It's queue jumping.

Last summer, I became aware that all was not well with my insides. The GP was putting me on laxatives, but I knew there was something serious going on and asked for a colonoscopy. I was told there was a long waiting list. I paid £80 to see a private GP, but was told that a private colonoscopy wouldn't be available for another week.
(Eventually, having been put on the 2-week pathway for an appointment with a consultant, I was told on day 9 that I would be telephoned by a consultant on day 14. By day 12 I was I so much pain that I went to A and E, was scanned and had an emergency operation the next morning, a right hemicolectomy.
In this case, I think both GPs, NHS and private, should have sent me to hospital tow weeks earlier. But hindsight is a,wonderful thing.

growstuff

Grandmadinosaur

I paid £100 for a GP appt. The experience was much better than NHS. I checked in with a real person not a digital board. She was very pleasant and told me to take a seat and help myself to a drink from a machine. It was all so more relaxing than at my surgery. The female Dr was lovely and we chatted for ages at no extra cost. I did have to pay extra for a scan.

That's fine for people who can afford £100 (+ extra for scans), but what about those who can't afford it? Private practices are leaching NHS GPs, so it's even more difficult for NHS patients to see a GP. It's queue jumping.

Yes you are right.

I am not rich by any account but for me it was about choice. I could have an appointment the day and time of my choosing with a male or female doctor. If the NHS offered that plus easier ways to even contact them then it would not be an issue. The sooner the NHS gets its act together the better.

£120 at our private hospital.
A guest staying with me on holiday used it when my GP surgery refused to see her.

Growstuff we cannot get appointments here. I still agree with you though