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Private GP services are becoming increasingly valuable in the UK, with the NHS struggling with record backlogs and GP surgeries finding it difficult to fill vacancies. In this article, we explain how private health insurance can give you access to 24-hour private GP services and how they work.
Challenges facing NHS GPs
As reported in this May 2022 GP Online article, the British Medical Association has warned that time is running out to reverse the “steady decline” in the GP workforce. NHS Digital figures from 31 March 2022 show that the number of fully qualified full-time (FTE) GPs fell by 369 between March 2021 and 2022. It’s a similar story for general practice nurses, with 140 FTE nurses less in March 2022 compared to the previous year.
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There are more and more reports of patients having difficulty getting appointments
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the shrinking number of GPs in practice, not to mention the added workload associated with the pandemic and vaccinations, there are increasing reports of patients finding it difficult to attend GP appointments. And while the latest GP patient survey suggests that, on the whole, people are satisfied with GP services, the strain is starting to show.
Medical care outside working hours
Perhaps the most significant difference to private healthcare is that you can usually get a private appointment with your GP on the same day. Most NHS GPs usually work during the working week, and while some offer extended hours, they usually do not offer any out-of-hours services. If you need medical help when your NHS GP is not working, you will need to either speak to NHS 111 or go to an ambulance. But due to unprecedented demand, both are also under huge pressure, contributing to public satisfaction that the NHS is at its lowest for 25 years.
The type of people accessing private health care is changing
Private physician services have been available for many years; however, more recently there has been a shift in the type of people accessing these services, with demand skyrocketing, as highlighted in this recent Pulse Today report. Partly driven by NHS waiting lists, those choosing or paying for their own medical care are increasing. We won’t get into the political hot potato between the NHS and the private sector, but needless to say, people do what they need to do to keep themselves and their families well.
What is the private service of a general practitioner?
A private doctor’s service is one that you pay for yourself, rather than free access through the NHS. Private doctors are fully qualified and, in many cases, have moved into the private sector after working in the NHS. Many private GPs also offer face-to-face appointments, video consultations and telephone consultations.
How does a private general practitioner work?
There are various private GPs, some run small practices and others are part of larger healthcare groups. Depending on the office, you will pay for the appointment in advance or after visiting a private doctor. In either case, you’ll book an appointment through their website or call them on the phone, then receive it by phone, video or in person. Unlike your NHS GP, if you call one private GP and they are not available, there is nothing to stop you calling another to get an appointment that suits you.
You will also have to pay for the prescriptions
NHS prescriptions cost £9.35, so it doesn’t matter if the medicine you need costs more or less than that; it doesn’t matter. You may pay more or less with private prescriptions, depending on the drug in question and the service you received. You can pick up a private prescription at your regular pharmacy, and there are also several online pharmacies where you can order them.
Advantages of private general practitioners
Here are the biggest benefits you can expect from using a private GP. Please note that these benefits are not guaranteed and are generalizations; it depends on whether an NHS GP or a private doctor is best for you.
- Shorter waiting time – You can usually get same-day appointments with a larger selection.
- Out-of-hours services – many leading private GP services are open 24/7, so you can get the help you need when you need it.
- Longer terms – private GPs are not constrained by the time pressure of their NHS colleagues; most will give you 30 minute appointments.
- Treatments to order – private GPs are not limited by what is available on the NHS; therefore, I am free to recommend other treatment options.
- Possible home visits – although this is not always the case, some private GPs, especially smaller ones, will be happy to visit you at home.
- Flexibility – most of us have work, and trying to fit in an appointment with a general practitioner can be difficult. With a private general practitioner, you can choose when your appointment will be scheduled.
How much does a private examination with a general practitioner cost?
A private appointment with a GP usually costs between £75 and £110 for a 30-minute appointment on a weekday.
You can expect to pay more if you need a longer appointment over a weekend or holiday.
How to pay for the services of a private general practitioner
There are several ways you can pay for the services of a private GP:
- Self payment – simply pay for appointments with a general practitioner as needed.
- Subscription – some private GPs allow you to subscribe to their services monthly or annually.
- Through private health insurance – most leading health insurance providers now include a virtual GP service with their policies.
The downside of self-pay
While paying for GP appointments as needed is a perfectly acceptable route to take, it does mean you need to think about the cost before making an appointment, and for some this may mean they don’t see the full benefit of what a private doctor can offer. With subscription and private health insurance, because you pay a regular monthly amount, you don’t have to think about the cost of a GP appointment before you pick up the phone. This is especially useful for those with small children or more vulnerable members of society who may suffer from more common health problems.
Private health insurance with access to private general practitioners
All the top health insurers in the UK now provide access to digital GP services in one way or another. In this section, we outline what these are before explaining some of the other benefits of private health insurance.
Aviva
Aviva’s Digital GP, powered by Square Health, gives you 24-hour access five Video consultations of general practitioners per member per year of insurance. You get the choice of who to schedule an appointment with and the flexibility of scheduling meetings 24 hours a day. Appointments last 15 minutes and take place via video or telephone.
Axa Health
Axa Health’s digital GP service is called “Doctor at Hand” and gives you 24/7 access to a GP via video call or phone. It’s powered by Doctor Care Anywhere, and while they have a fair usage policy, from what we can see, you can use it up to five times in a calendar month without a problem.
Bupa
Bupa’s Digital GP service is provided by Babylon Health and can be accessed 24/7 via smartphone or tablet. From what we can see by reviewing their terms and conditions, there are no limits on the amount you can use for their Digital GP.
Free health insurance
Freedom offers a 24/7 virtual GP service through Health Hero with unlimited consultations for all UK customers. Plus, if you’re on their Elite plan, you can opt for a one-on-one private GP consultation by adding their Private GP, Dental and Optical benefits.
National friendly
National Friendly is one of the lesser known health insurance providers in the UK, but their policies are right up there with the best. Like the others we’ve mentioned, National Friendly gives you access to a 24/7 virtual GP service through HealthHero.
Saga
Saga health insurance policies include 24/7 access to private GP consultations via telephone and video consultations in partnership with HealthHero. With Saga, you get unlimited access, so there’s no need to worry about overuse.
Exeter
Exeter insures its remote GP under the name HealthWise, and with their policies each named policyholder can have up to four consultations each year.
Vitality
Vitality health insurance gives you 24/7 access to a virtual GP and promises to be able to speak to a GP over the phone within 48 hours. If you live in London, you can choose to see a private GP in person and they will charge you £20 and cover the rest. There is a limit of two face-to-face appointments per year, but it’s still nice to have the option.
WPA
Like National Friendly and Saga, WPA’s Private GP is provided by HealthHero and you have access 24/7 365 days a year. There is no limit to the number of private GP consultations you can have, which makes a difference to those who need more health support.
Introduction to private health insurance
In truth, a private health insurance policy gives you much more than private GP appointments. At its core, private health insurance is designed to cover the cost of treatment in private hospitals, whether as an inpatient or day patient. However, more comprehensive policies will also cover outpatient treatment and diagnostic tests, and you can also get cover for things like physiotherapy and even routine dental appointments.
Health insurance benefits
There are many benefits to health insurance services in the UK, but perhaps most importantly, given the challenges facing the NHS, it allows you to bypass waiting lists and get treatment earlier.
The main advantages of private health insurance
- Bypass NHS waiting lists and get treatment sooner
- Have more flexibility when and where you get treatment
- Access to treatments and medicines not routinely available on the NHS
- Get 24/7 private GP appointments
- Stay in a private room while in the hospital
- Access to mental health support (with additional allowance)
- Coverage for physiotherapy and other alternative therapies (with optional supplement)
- Excellent protection against cancer and other life-threatening conditions
- Annual health examinations
- Discount on gym membership and other offers
How to buy health insurance
With many providers and policies on the market, it is always wise to compare health insurance providers and speak to an independent health insurance broker. Brokers provide free services and are required to act on your behalf, not on behalf of the insurer. They can quickly help you identify the right type of policy for you based on your requirements and budget, and also help you get to grips with what is a relatively complicated financial product.
