Quick answer: a private GP appointment in the UK costs anywhere from a modest phone fee to several hundred pounds for an in-person visit in central London, as of October 2026. The headline fee tells you little. What matters is the length of the appointment, who you see, and whether prescriptions, fit notes and referral letters are included. The Online GP by The Wellness charges £59 for a 15-minute phone consultation, from £150 for a 30-minute video consultation with in-person fees confirmed before booking, with fixed fees published before you book.
How much does a private GP appointment cost in the UK in 2026?
- The length of the appointment matters as much as the headline price. A 30-minute video consultation from £150 works out at £5 a minute, half the rate of a £150 consultation lasting 15 minutes.
- Ask what documentation is included before booking. A consultation with a written referral letter may be a separately priced bundle.
- A record 6.5 million people in the UK had private medical insurance in 2024, according to Association of British Insurers figures, and some policies cover GP consultations.
- Only 23% of people who booked a GP appointment were offered a choice between face-to-face and remote care, in a Healthwatch England poll published on 8 October 2026.
- The Online GP by The Wellness offers telephone consultations from £59, video consultations from £150, in-person fees confirmed before booking, home visits in London at £450 and hotel visits at £495 by day / £595 in the evening.
What The Online GP by The Wellness charges
Our prices are fixed and published, so you know the cost before you book. Each appointment is with a GMC-registered doctor, and prescriptions are issued during the consultation where clinically appropriate. The pharmacy charges separately for the medicine itself.
- Telephone consultation, around 15 minutes, £59. Good for repeat prescriptions, results, fit notes and advice on symptoms that do not need an examination.
- Video consultation, around 30 minutes, from £150. A longer, unhurried appointment, from home or work.
- In-person appointment, fee confirmed before booking. Face to face, with examination, and bloods or a scan arranged where needed.
- Home visit in London, £450. Hotel visits cost £495 by day or £595 in the evening.
Book a same-day phone or video GP on WhatsApp.
What makes private GP prices vary
Private GP prices vary because providers sell different things under the same name. A 10-minute app call with the next available doctor and a 30-minute consultation with a senior GP are both called a GP appointment, but they are not the same service.
- Length. Appointments range from 10 minutes to more than 30 minutes, and longer appointments cost more.
- Format. In-person and home visits cost more than phone or video, because of clinic and travel costs.
- Location. Central London clinics charge more than clinics elsewhere in the UK, and central London rents push some prices up without adding clinical value.
- What is included. Some providers charge separately for prescriptions, referral letters and follow-up questions.
- Who you see. Some services offer the next available clinician, while others offer an experienced GP with time to review your history.
Before you book, ask what is included.
Checklist: questions to ask any private GP before you book
- How long is the appointment, and is there a time-based surcharge?
- Are prescriptions, fit notes and referral letters included, or charged separately?
- Is there a deposit, and is it refundable?
- Can bloods or scans be done on site, or will you pay a second provider?
- Is the doctor registered with the GMC? You can check any doctor on the GMC online register.
- What happens if you need a follow-up?
Is a longer appointment better value?
Often, yes. Comparing the price per minute is more useful than comparing headline prices. A 15-minute telephone consultation at £59 works out at about £4 a minute, and a 30-minute video consultation at £150 at £5 a minute. A 15-minute consultation priced at £150 works out at £10 a minute.
A longer appointment matters most when you have more than one problem, take several medicines, need a referral, or want time to talk through results. If a 10-minute call ends with a second appointment, it was not good value. Our guide to what a GP can do over the phone or by video explains what remote appointments can handle.
Book a 30-minute video consultation on WhatsApp.
What other costs should I expect?
The main extra cost is the medicine itself, which the pharmacy charges for separately. Private prescription prices vary between pharmacies, so it is worth asking for a price before you collect. Blood tests, scans and specialist appointments are also charged separately if the doctor recommends them, and are always quoted before you agree to them.
Before you book with any provider, ask whether the fee includes the prescription, a referral letter and any follow-up questions after the appointment. These extras are where the real cost of a low-priced appointment often rises.
Does private health insurance cover private GP appointments?
Some private medical insurance policies include a remote GP service or cover GP consultations, but many do not cover GP appointments outside the insurer's own service. A record 6.5 million people in the UK had private medical insurance in 2024, according to Association of British Insurers figures.
Most policies need a GP referral before they pay for a specialist, scan or treatment. The Online GP by The Wellness provides an itemised invoice for every appointment, which you can submit to your insurer or employer.
Is a private GP appointment worth the cost?
A private GP appointment is worth it when you need a doctor today, want more time than a standard appointment allows, or need a prescription, fit note or referral quickly. Only 23% of people who booked a GP appointment were offered a choice between face-to-face and remote care, in a Healthwatch England poll published on 8 October 2026.
It is less likely to be worth it for a minor illness that a pharmacist can help with, such as a cold, or for a problem your registered practice can see promptly. Private care does not replace the NHS. For routine problems, an NHS GP appointment is free, and you can register with a practice at no cost. You can find NHS services at nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps. If you are managing a long-term condition under the NHS, we can work alongside your NHS GP and share a summary with your consent. Our guide to seeing a doctor when you cannot get a GP appointment sets out every option, including free ones.
How to keep private GP costs down
- Choose a phone or video appointment when you do not need an examination.
- Pick a clinic that includes prescriptions and letters in the fee.
- Have bloods and scans done where you see the doctor, to avoid a second bill.
- Use the NHS for routine problems that are not time-sensitive.
Can a doctor tell me which appointment I need before I pay?
Yes. The Online GP by The Wellness offers a free suitability review. Send a short description of your symptoms on WhatsApp, and a doctor tells you whether a call, a video consultation, a same-day appointment or a home visit suits you. If a pharmacist can help, we tell you plainly.
Start your free suitability review on WhatsApp.
Red flags: do not wait for any appointment
Call 999 or go to A&E for chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), heavy bleeding, or sudden severe headache. For urgent problems that are not an emergency, call NHS 111.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private GP appointment with The Online GP?
£59 for a 15-minute phone consultation, from £150 for a 30-minute video consultation with in-person fees confirmed before booking. Home visits are £450; hotel visits cost £495 by day or £595 in the evening.
How much is an online private GP consultation?
The Online GP by The Wellness offers 15-minute telephone consultations for £59 and 30-minute video consultations from £150.
Are prescriptions and fit notes included?
A doctor can issue a prescription where clinically appropriate. Ask which documents are included in your chosen appointment. The pharmacy charges separately for the medicine, and tests or referral-letter bundles are quoted before booking.
How much does a private GP home visit cost?
The Online GP by The Wellness offers home visits across London for £450, and hotel visits for £495 by day or £595 in the evening.
Do I need to be registered to see a private GP?
No. You can book a one-off private GP appointment without registering.
Can I claim a private GP appointment on insurance?
Some private medical insurance and travel insurance policies cover GP consultations. The Online GP by The Wellness provides an itemised invoice that you can submit with a claim.
What is the cheapest way to see a private GP?
A phone consultation at £59 is the most cost-effective option for problems that do not need an examination.
Is a private GP better than an NHS GP?
Not better. Different. NHS GPs are free and handle most health problems well. Private care adds speed, time and convenience.
General information, not a personal recommendation. Written by The Wellness Team and reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.