Private GP vs NHS GP: is it worth paying?

Should I see a private GP or stick with my NHS GP?

Go private when getting seen soon, having more time or being examined in person matters more to you than the cost.

If you've struggled to get through to your NHS GP surgery, you're not alone. Fewer than 6 in 10 people in England (56.9%) found it easy to phone their GP surgery this year (2026 GP Patient Survey). A private appointment gives you a fixed time without having to keep trying.

Use your NHS GP for ongoing care. Many people use both: a private GP for a one-off problem and their NHS GP for anything that needs follow-up over months or years.

How do they compare?

Both should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and every doctor should be on the GMC register. Check both before you book any private GP.

Want to see prices and what's included first? See our private GP appointment in Bishop's Stortford page, or send us a question on WhatsApp (07703 980989).

Is a private GP worth the money?

The price depends on the type of appointment. A short video call usually costs £40 to £90 (Which?). That suits a simple question that doesn't need an examination. A longer in-person appointment of 20 to 30 minutes typically costs £90 to £150 across the UK (All Health and Care).

If you need to be examined, have more than one problem or want time to talk it through, an in-person appointment is better value. At SABA that's £135 for 30 minutes. Before you book any private GP, check what's included: tests, prescriptions and letters are often charged on top.

If you have private medical insurance or a health plan through work, check whether it covers GP appointments before you pay yourself. Some policies include GP access and some don't.

When is a private GP the better choice?

Choose a private GP when:

• you need to be seen soon and can't get an appointment
• you've got a few things to go through (our 45-minute appointment, £185, gives time for all of them)
• you want someone to examine you in person
• you'd like a second opinion
• you need a set time that fits around work or childcare

Tip: Write down your symptoms, when they started and any medicines you take before you come in. It means we can spend the 30 minutes on you, not on catching up.

When is your NHS GP the better choice?

For anything that needs regular follow-up, use your NHS GP. That means long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma, repeat prescriptions and ongoing check-ups.

For a sore throat, sinusitis or (for women aged 16 to 64) a urine infection, a pharmacist can assess and treat you free under NHS Pharmacy First, without a GP appointment at all.

Does seeing the same GP matter?

Yes. A review of research published in BMJ Open found that seeing the same doctor over time is linked with better outcomes, including lower death rates, though the studies can't prove one causes the other.

That's one reason to keep your NHS GP as your main doctor, even if you also see a private GP. It's also why, with your consent, we send your NHS GP a summary of your visit, so your records stay in one place.

What should I ask before booking a private GP?

• How long is the appointment, and is it in person or online?
• What's included in the price, and what costs extra?
• Will a summary go to my NHS GP?
• Is the clinic CQC registered, and is the doctor on the GMC register?
• What does a follow-up cost?

At SABA: 30 minutes face to face, a £110 follow-up, a summary to your NHS GP with your consent, and we're CQC registered.

How SABA can help

We're a doctor-founded clinic at Thremhall Park, just off the A120 near Bishop's Stortford. You'll see a GMC-registered GP face to face for 30 minutes, usually the same or next working day, Monday to Friday. Call reception on 01279 874388 to check today's availability. There's free parking, and you don't need a referral.