NHS VS PRIVATE
Private GP vs NHS
A clear guide to when private GP care helps, when the NHS is still the right route, and how many patients use both together.
CONSULTATION
£150
30-minute appointment, in-person or video
MEMBERSHIP
From £30/month
NHS entitlement unaffected
One of the most common questions patients ask before booking is whether private GP care is actually worth it when they already have access to the NHS.
The honest answer is that the NHS and private healthcare do different jobs well. For many people, it is not a matter of choosing one and rejecting the other. It is about using each in the way that makes most sense.
At Basuto Medical Centre, we see many patients who keep their NHS GP and use private care alongside it. They may want quicker access, longer appointments, blood tests, a second opinion, or help moving things forward when something is dragging on. In other situations, the NHS remains the right route.
The Real Difference
The main difference in practice
The difference is not that one side cares and the other does not. The real difference is usually access, time and flexibility.
A private GP appointment is often easier to book quickly. It usually gives more time in the room. It can make blood tests, referrals, follow-up and practical next steps easier to arrange without delay.
The NHS remains essential for universal access, emergency care, major hospital services and many forms of longer-term specialist treatment.
What private GP care is usually better for
- Same-day or prompt access to a doctor
- A longer consultation (30 minutes)
- More time to discuss symptoms properly
- Quicker blood tests or referrals
- A second opinion
- Continuity with a small practice
- Easier to fit around work or family life
What the NHS is usually better for
- Emergency and urgent hospital care
- A&E and ambulance services
- Major surgery and complex inpatient care
- Ongoing specialist pathways already in place
- Care where cost is the overriding concern
- Longer-term treatment handled well within the NHS
Using Both Together
Many patients use private and NHS care together
Many patients use private and NHS care together without any difficulty.
A patient might see a private GP because they want to be seen this week rather than in a few weeks’ time. They may then decide to continue some aspects of care privately, or they may take the advice, test results or onward plan back into the NHS where that makes sense.
Another patient might want private blood tests or a second opinion, but remain fully under NHS care for specialist treatment. Others simply want a practice they can use when they need speed, continuity or more time, while keeping their NHS GP in place.
Not sure whether private care is right for you? Book one appointment and decide from there.
When It Is Worth It
When private care is often worth it
Private GP care is often worth it when the delay itself is part of the problem. If you are worried enough that you do not want to wait, if you want a more detailed conversation, if you need a blood test or referral quickly, or if you are trying to fit healthcare around a demanding week.
It can also be worth it for families who value continuity, patients who want an established local practice rather than a high-volume clinic, and people who feel they need time to talk things through properly.
When NHS Is Better
When the NHS is still the better route
If you have a medical emergency, need A&E, require major hospital treatment, or are already in a specialist pathway that is working well, the NHS may still be the best fit.
The point of this page is not to suggest that private replaces the NHS. It does not. The point is that private care can complement the NHS where speed, time and flexibility matter.
Common Misunderstandings
Myth vs Fact
Myth
Using a private GP means giving up your NHS GP.
Fact
Many patients keep both. Using a private GP does not affect your NHS registration or entitlements in any way.
Myth
Private care is only for complex or wealthy patients.
Fact
Many patients use private GP care selectively — for faster access, a one-off concern, or when they need something dealt with quickly. Membership starts from £30/month.
Myth
Referrals, prescriptions and blood tests always need to go through the NHS first.
Fact
A private GP can organise referrals, prescriptions and blood tests directly where clinically appropriate — often the same day.
Myth
Private GP care replaces emergency services.
Fact
Emergencies still belong with 999 and A&E. A private GP practice handles non-emergency medical care, not acute emergencies.
At a Glance
Private vs NHS Comparison
| Private GP (Basuto) | NHS GP | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Often same-day or prompt | Variable, often 2–4 weeks |
| Consultation length | 30 minutes | Often 7–10 minutes |
| Continuity | Small-practice, named GP | Varies by practice |
| Blood tests & referrals | Arranged quickly, often same day | May take longer depending on local systems |
| Cost | £150 per consultation | Free at point of use |
| Emergency care | Not private GP scope | A&E and hospital services |
MEMBERSHIP & PRICING
Better value for regular patients
For patients who use the practice regularly, a Basuto membership offers easier ongoing access, priority booking, and a named doctor who builds a picture of your health over time — rather than starting from scratch at each visit.
ACCESS
£30/month
per month
- 50% off GP appointments
- Priority same-day booking
- Named GP continuity
- No minimum contract
UNDER-16
£55/month
per month
- 10 appointments/year
- Paediatric GP care
- Priority booking
- Prescriptions included
ADULT MEMBERSHIP
£85/month
per month
- 10 GP appointments/year
- Priority same-day booking
- All prescriptions included
- Named doctor continuity
PAY AS YOU GO
£150
per consultation
- 30-minute GP consultation
- Prescription included
- Referral letter included
- No commitment
+
Unlimited add-on: +£30/month
Remove the 10-appointment cap entirely. Recommended for chronic conditions or families with young children.
+
Annual health check: +£30/month
Add a comprehensive annual health screening to any membership plan. Includes bloods, cardiovascular risk, and a full GP review.
WHY BASUTO
How the Practice Works
Basuto Medical Centre is an established, CQC-regulated private GP practice in Parsons Green. Our practice is structured around prompt access, adequate consultation time and clear clinical follow-through: patients should be able to access experienced medical care quickly, have enough time to explain what is going on properly, and leave knowing what happens next.
01
Same-day, where possible
Prompt access is one of the main reasons patients choose private GP care. We aim to keep same-day appointments available for concerns that should not be left to drift.
02
Thirty-minute consultations
Enough time to take a proper history, examine where needed, answer questions and explain the next step clearly.
03
Prescriptions & referrals included
Prescriptions and referral letters can usually be arranged during the same appointment where clinically appropriate.
04
Your NHS GP stays the same
Using Basuto does not affect your NHS registration. Many patients use private GP care alongside NHS services.
“Finally found a GP practice that actually gives you time. Dr Al-Saraf listened to everything without rushing — same-day appointment, prescription sorted immediately.”
Sarah M. • Parsons Green • Doctify Verified
CQC-Regulated, Clinically Led
Registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission — the same standard applied to NHS GP surgeries.
GETTING STARTED
How to Book
Three simple steps to see a GP. No registration forms, no waiting list.
01
Call or Book Online
Phone us on 020 7736 7557 or use our online booking form. Call before 10am for a same-day appointment.
02
See Your GP
Attend your 30-minute consultation at 29 Basuto Road, or join via secure video link from home.
03
Ongoing Care
Prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up — all handled. Join a membership plan for continued priority access.
When to seek urgent emergency care instead
A private GP appointment is appropriate for many acute illnesses and new concerns, but it is not a substitute for emergency care.
If you or someone you are with has severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, heavy bleeding, sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, a seizure, or severe allergic symptoms — call 999 or go to A&E. For everything else that needs prompt but non-emergency medical attention, a same-day private GP appointment is a sensible place to start.
Established
A practice built on continuity of care
Basuto Medical Centre has served the Parsons Green and Fulham community for over three decades. We believe in the value of knowing your doctor.
35+
Years serving Fulham
380+
Active members
4.9★
Average patient rating
CQC
Registered & compliant
Patient Reviews
Patient Feedback
★★★★★
“It’s a great friendly practice and the GP has an extremely friendly approach and gives you plenty of her time and is excellent with diagnosis. It has a warm friendly atmosphere.”
Verified Patient
GP Consultation · Doctify Verified
★★★★★
“Thorough and considered consultation with the doctor who gave me plenty of time and attention and treated a number of different ailments. I was phoned back later the same day by the doctor as a follow-up. I have been using Basuto Medical Centre for years, they are an excellent medical practice.”
Verified Patient
Women’s Health · Doctify Verified
★★★★★
“I called at 5.15pm, in pain and knowing that I needed antibiotics. In five minutes the receptionist had spoken to the doctor and she called me back for a telephone consultation. By 6pm I had picked up my filled prescription. I simply could not have asked for better service.”
Verified Patient
Same-Day Care · Doctify Verified
Near Parsons Green tube station
Parsons Green, SW6
Weekends & Bank Holidays: Closed
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
Call to book or enquire
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to leave my NHS GP to use Basuto?
No. Most patients remain registered with their NHS GP and use Basuto alongside. There is no deregistration required.
Will Basuto tell my NHS GP about my appointments?
No. All consultations are confidential. We only contact your NHS GP if you specifically ask us to.
Can a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?
Yes. Your GP can refer you to NHS or private specialists. NHS referrals follow the same pathway as referrals from an NHS GP.
Is it worth the cost?
If you value same-day access, 30-minute appointments, continuity with a named GP, and direct specialist referral — many patients find it is. Membership starts from £30/month for priority booking and 50% off GP appointments. See our pricing page.
Can I use Basuto for my children as well?
Yes. We provide private GP care for children from birth alongside adults. Family membership includes a 10% discount and makes ongoing care for the whole household simpler.
Not Sure Whether Private GP Care Is Right for You?
If you are weighing up whether private GP care would help, the simplest next step is often to book one appointment and decide from there. Same-day and pre-booked appointments available, with 30-minute consultations, blood tests, prescriptions, referrals and continuity where needed.