PRIVATE GP
How Much Does a Private GP Cost in London?
What a private GP appointment typically costs, what the fee should include, and how to judge whether the price represents reasonable value for your situation.
Private GP pricing in London typically ranges from £50 to £250 per consultation, depending on appointment length, location, what is included and whether the practice operates on a pay-as-you-go or membership basis. The variation can feel confusing, particularly for patients using a private GP for the first time. The key distinction is usually not the headline price but what happens during the appointment and what you leave with.
At Basuto Medical Centre, a standard private GP consultation is £150 for 30 minutes. That fee includes the consultation itself, any prescriptions issued, referral letters, and a practical plan for what happens next. No registration is required. Patients can book directly without joining the practice first.
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What a private GP consultation should include
The fee for a private GP appointment should cover more than access to a doctor. A properly structured consultation includes enough time to take a thorough history, examine where clinically appropriate, explain what is most likely happening, and agree on a clear plan. Depending on the situation, the outcome may be a prescription, blood tests, a specialist referral, a medical letter, or reassurance with advice on what to watch for. If any of those next steps require additional cost — for example, blood test laboratory fees — that should be explained before anything is arranged.
Practices that charge less often offer shorter appointments — sometimes 10 or 15 minutes — which may not allow time to address complex or multiple concerns properly. The question is not always which practice is cheapest, but which provides enough time and clinical continuity to resolve the issue in fewer visits.
Why prices vary across London
Private GP pricing in London varies for several practical reasons. Central London practices with higher overheads tend to charge more. Practices offering longer consultations charge more than those running shorter slots. Some include prescriptions and referral letters in the consultation fee; others charge separately. Video-only services can be cheaper but may not suit situations requiring examination. Walk-in clinics may charge less per visit but offer less continuity. The most useful comparison is not the price per appointment but what you actually receive for it and whether one thorough consultation can replace two or three rushed ones.
Membership
Pay as you go versus membership
Most private GP practices offer either pay-as-you-go appointments, membership plans, or both. At Basuto, patients can book individual consultations at £150 with no commitment, or join a membership plan starting from £30/month per month for 50% off consultations, priority same-day booking, and continuity with a named GP.
Membership tends to make sense for families, patients with ongoing conditions, or anyone who expects to use the practice more than a couple of times a year. Pay-as-you-go suits patients who need occasional access without commitment.
Same-day appointments available. Book online or call 020 7736 7557.
When patients usually feel it is worth paying
The decision to see a private GP is usually driven by one of several practical factors. The most common is time — either difficulty getting an NHS appointment quickly enough, or the need for a longer consultation than 10 minutes allows. Parents with unwell children often need more than a brief assessment. Patients with complex or overlapping symptoms may need a longer conversation before the right investigation can be identified. In both cases, 30 minutes with a GP who can review the full picture, order investigations and arrange next steps from the same appointment tends to save time and reduce the cycle of short follow-ups.
Other patients choose private care because they want continuity with a named doctor, access to same-day appointments, or the ability to move into health screening, blood tests, or specialist referral pathways without starting again elsewhere. That does not mean private GP care is the right answer for every situation. But it explains why many patients in London consider it worth the cost when the alternative is waiting, being rushed, or leaving without a clear plan.
What to look for when comparing practices
Appointment length matters. A 10-minute slot and a 30-minute consultation are fundamentally different clinical experiences. It is also worth checking what is included in the fee — whether prescriptions and referral letters are covered or charged separately, and whether the practice can arrange blood tests, health screening and onward referrals from the same point of care. CQC registration, the ability to see the same GP over time, and whether the practice functions as a proper general practice rather than a walk-in service all affect the quality of care. A slightly higher fee that resolves the issue in one visit often represents better value than a cheaper service requiring multiple follow-ups.
What is included
What a Basuto consultation covers
A 30-minute consultation with the GP you see. History, examination where needed, a clear explanation of the most likely diagnosis, and a concrete next step — whether that is a prescription, blood test, referral, or follow-up plan. Referral letters and prescriptions are included in the consultation fee. Blood test laboratory charges vary depending on what is ordered and are explained before anything is arranged.
Same-day appointments are available. Video consultations are offered at the same price for situations where examination is not required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private GP cost in London?
Most London practices charge between £100 and £250 for a standard consultation. At Basuto, a 30-minute GP appointment is £150, which includes prescriptions, referral letters and a concrete plan. Membership from £30/month gives 50% off consultations.
Do I need to register before booking?
No. You can book directly as a pay-as-you-go patient without registration or membership. Bring a form of ID and details of any current medication.
Are blood tests included in the consultation fee?
The consultation fee covers the GP appointment, prescriptions and referral letters. Blood test laboratory charges are separate and vary depending on what is ordered. Your GP will explain the cost before anything is arranged.
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