Need a good PRIVATE GP

semtal

Can someone please recommend a site with a list of good private GP doctors. Just private only (not combined with NHS).

Alternatively, an organisation(s) that has such lists or even some advice on how to find one. I'm looking but not finding what I need in searches online.

I can't seem to find a private GP practice that isn't somehow tied to the NHS and they seem to govern who does what within the practice.

I need help and I'm willing to pay if it means the peace of mind/service you got from a GP about 50+ years ago!

welshdent

Not a particularly helpful reply there so I Will try and be more use. Where in the country are you? I have used some in Cardiff but they may not be convenient!
and no I am neither worried well nor "NHS not good enough". Sometimes the out of work hours and ability to make appointments in advance without calling from 8 am makes it more convenient than taking a day off work.

tomtontom

Is it a GP that you need or someone more specialist? Where in the UK are you?

sheramber

Have you looked at BUPA

peachyprice

Most private hospitals have a GP service, ring your local one.

If you're not getting the service you thought you were getting 50 years ago, that's probably more of a reflection of the practice you're using rather than NHS GP's in general, they're not all the same, just as all private hospitals/doctors are not all the same.

heuchera

I think a lot of NHS GPs also do private work, but I don't know if there are any (or many) who are 100% private only? Hopefully someone will be along soon who can point you in the right direction.

(Fwiw I agree with you about the old service pre-NHS, but the Discussion Time board might be a better place to have that conversation)

*~Zephyr~*

welshdent wrote: »

used some in Cardiff but they may not be convenient!

There are private GP's in Cardiff?? PLEASE tell me where because I've been trying for 3 weeks to get to see my NHS GP and cannot get an appointment at a time I can actually go!

brook2jack

A couple of things to bear in mind
Cost of a gp appointment will be £50 to £120 and upwards a visit.

They will not be able to prescribe on the NHS so any medications will be private as well. If you have a NHS gp they may prescribe the medication for you on the NHS however depending on what is prescribed and why you may not be able to get the medications on the NHS at all.

Your notes will not be transferred automatically to your NHS gp so you should take copies to go into your records.

However a private gp can refer a patient to NHS services.

There are many purely private gp practices but they tend to be in large cities only eg this chain http://regentstreetclinic.co.uk

Alternatively many Bupa, Spire and other hospitals run private gp services. Other than personal recommendation it is difficult to recommend a good way of assessing how good a private gp is other than by booking an appointment.

welshdent

Cardiff gate have a practice - I used them for travel vaccinations and a referral. They were very good in my experience.

there is also one in cyncoed. No idea what they are like but they are opposite the shops. http://theindependentgeneralpractice.co.uk/

http://www.privategpcardiff.co.uk/

**I have absolutely no links at all with either of them**

indiepanda

If you are in London I would recommend Roodlane Medical, they staff the GP service where I work and also run their own centres. I've found the service to be streets ahead of the NHS in terms of length and availability of appointments and they tend to run to time which my NHS doctors haven't done for years. Not saying the doctors know anymore, but they simply have time for you which in the NHS they often don't.

It's true you have to pay for prescriptions, but for me it is worth it given the hassle of getting to see the NHS doctor, and not all drugs cost more on private prescription than they do on the NHS anyway. (I pay for NHS prescriptions).

semtal

Thanks all for the quick replies.

I'm not sure I've found what I need but I still appreciate the input.

Answering in descending order:

@welshdent: Eastbourne, South England. New to the area. Fam and friends all pretty much overseas (Aus).

@tomtontom: Need a private GP, not a specialist.

@sheramber: Have looked at Bupa. Didn't seem that helpful when asking about the GP side of things. May have to give them another shot.

@peachyprice: Yep. Found some private hospitals do have maybe just a lone GP. Was hoping for more of a selection. Distance was also a problem.

@heuchera: Hoping for more info too! Kinda hoping there might've been a list or organisation that had such.

@brook2jack: Large cities for private only? Yeah. Seems it's just London for me. Bit out of my way. Can't see how they can continue helping as a regular GP, even if I could make the journey back and forth.

So, seems like private hospital GP's are the best bet (so far) and whatever BUPA might recommend (second time lucky).

If anyone knows of a trusted organisation/site that lists private GP's/practices be great if you can help out.

Cheers!