Whether you are a Londoner or a Briton who resides in the countryside, facts remain, London is home to some of the best doctors and hospitals in the country and world!
The British capital is also home to renowned medical schools and hospitals like Imperial College London (ranked among the top medical schools globally), King’s College London, and University College London (UCL), through which many a private doctor does their training.
It is also home to the NHS. The National Health Service, despite facing challenges such as understaffing and funding shortages, is actually considered one of THE largest publicly funded health services in the world.
That is super impressive. In fact, it handles an estimated 600 million patient interactions a year. That is approximately 1.7 million interactions per day on average! However, being short-staffed leads to longer waiting times, shorter appointments, and overworked medical personnel. Therefore, more and more Londoners (and others who travel from far and wide) are shifting towards private healthcare.
But the real question is, is booking an appointment with a private doctor in London the best decision for your health?
Let’s talk about it.
Private Doctor Vs. NHS
What is the difference between going to a private doctor in London and going to a doctor at the NHS? A private practice expects you or your medical insurance to pay for your doctor appointment. Whereas a public-funded GP is as the name suggests, funded by taxpayer money (i.e. the public). Even though you need to pay out of pocket when heading over to a private clinic, it seems to be worthwhile as private GP services have an 80% patient satisfaction rate. Plus, around 65% of people using these private services cited “personalised care” as one of the main reasons for opting for private healthcare in the first place.
Why More People Are Booking Private Appointments
Probably The Most Obvious, Compassionate Care
Of course, every doctor at the NHS has a passion for what they do. But it is no secret they have a lot of people to see. This can result in your appointment feeling rushed. Seeing a private GP on the other hand, typically comes with the opposite atmosphere. Not only can you book your appointment to suit your schedule better but private appointment durations tend to last longer than public ones. With longer appointment slots, you can discuss your health concerns in detail, feel valued, and also allow your doctor to listen attentively and create tailored treatment plans.
Walking The Road Together
This is quite a big one. When you book an appointment with a private GP, the chances are that you will be walking your healthcare journey with THAT doctor. This on-going relationship and continuity of care allows for better, more personalised medical advice and long-term health support. After all, who wants to explain the same issue over and over again to a different face? No one, right? It is not just us who feel this way. According to a YouGov poll conducted in 2023, roughly 57% of patients consider it important to see the same GP during their visits.
The Utmost Privacy
There is no denying discussing your medical concerns with a public-funded doctor in a space separated with a hospital ward screen can be incredibly uncomfortable. Who knows where prying ears are lingering. It is due to this discomfort that about 53% of British adults would consider seeing a private GP in the future. Why? Because a private GP offers a private setting. This discreet environment with closed doors allows you to relax and talk to your doctor about all your concerns privately. It is safe to say that healthcare privacy is considered crucial by many.
Extra Services Available On-Site
Instead of going with a referral letter in hand from one doctor to another, a private London-based GP practice typically offers blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, or even a full body scan within the same facility. Of course, many doctors also specialise in other fields, whether it is minor surgery, women’s health, family healthcare or sports medicine, cutting out the proverbial middleman even more.
Key Points To Remember Before We Say Goodbye
If you want to prioritise your health this 2025, booking an appointment with a private doctor in London may be the smooth sailing healthcare experience your health needs. Whether it is a private doctor in West London or a private doctor in central London, the chances of being in expert hands in care are high.
Ask family and friends which one they would recommend. Alternatively, you can talk to your medical insurance representative who will also be able to provide you with a list of private doctors within your network. If you are not from London but willing to travel to receive exceptional healthcare, it is important to do your research and to book an appointment with a reputable, qualified, and highly recommended private doctor in the capital.
We wish you all the best.
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
