PRIVATE GP
What Happens at a Private GP Appointment?
A practical guide to what your first private GP appointment involves, how long it takes, and what you should leave with.
A lot of patients know they want to see a doctor, but are less sure what the appointment itself will involve. That uncertainty can put people off booking, especially if they have not used a private GP before.
In practice, a good private GP appointment should feel clear from the start. You should know why you are there, have enough time to explain what is going on, and leave with a sensible plan rather than more questions. At Basuto, appointments are designed to feel thorough without becoming overcomplicated.
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Why people usually book
People book for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it is something new that has come on quickly. Sometimes it is a problem that has been going on for weeks and needs a proper review. Sometimes it is a blood test, a prescription, a referral, a medical letter or simply a second opinion. Families often want a practice they can rely on over time for continuity, recurrent illnesses, childhood concerns and ongoing care. The important point is that the appointment is not only about naming the problem. It is about deciding what to do next.
Before the appointment
Before you arrive, it helps to think about what has changed, how long symptoms have been going on, what has already been tried, and what you are most worried about. If you are taking medication, it is worth having the details to hand. You do not need to arrive with a polished summary. But a few practical details often help the conversation move more quickly.
The consultation
What happens in the room
A private GP consultation normally starts with a proper history. Your doctor will ask what has been happening, how things have developed, and what else may be relevant. If an examination is needed, that can be done during the appointment. From there, the discussion turns to what is most likely going on, whether anything serious needs ruling out, whether treatment would help, and whether you would benefit from blood tests, a referral, a prescription or follow-up.
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Next steps
What the appointment may lead to
Sometimes the outcome is reassurance. Sometimes it is treatment there and then. Sometimes it is a prescription, referral, blood test or plan to review things again after a short time. Because we offer a broader clinical pathway from the same practice, patients do not need to start again after the appointment. Where appropriate, we can arrange health screening, specialist referrals, and private prescriptions from the same point of care. A good appointment gives you a clear route forward.
Common questions
How is a 30-minute private GP appointment used compared with a 10-minute NHS slot?
The longer slot changes what is possible in a single visit. Instead of narrowing to one symptom, the GP has time to take a proper medical history, examine where needed, explain findings, and agree a plan — rather than having to defer these steps across multiple short appointments. Complex or overlapping issues are the situations where the extra time matters most.
What happens at the end of the appointment — do I leave with a plan?
Typically, yes. The consultation usually ends with a clear summary of what was found, what the GP recommends next, and any prescriptions, referrals or tests arranged on the day. If results are pending, the GP explains how and when you will hear back and who will review them with you.
Can follow-up be arranged with the same GP?
Yes. Same-GP follow-up can usually be requested, which matters for anything being monitored over time — medication review, chronic conditions, or investigations pending results. For acute concerns between visits, another GP may see you sooner and document findings for your named GP.
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