Seeing a private specialist in the UK: costs, access, and how to choose
Checked: July 2026Private Health Compass finds you can usually see a private specialist in the UK without a GP referral, by paying directly, though some clinics still prefer one and most insurers require it for a claim. Initial consultations typically cost roughly £170 to £250, more for high-demand specialists or London clinics, according to PHIN.
Do you need a referral to see a private specialist?
Most private clinics accept direct booking for self-pay patients, no GP letter required, though a referral gives the specialist useful history and some clinics still ask for one. If you are claiming through private medical insurance, check your policy, many insurers require a GP referral before they will authorise a specialist claim. Either way, your specialist should write to you, and with your consent your GP, after the appointment, summarising what was discussed.
What a first specialist appointment costs, honestly
PHIN, the independent, government-mandated body that publishes UK private healthcare costs, states that private consultants generally charge for three separate things: the initial consultation, the procedure itself, and any follow-up consultations, and that these fees do not include private hospital costs or anaesthetist fees. Initial consultations typically cost roughly £170 to £250, though specialists in London and those in high demand can charge more. Follow-up appointments, PHIN notes, "may be brief, but will cost the same unless otherwise indicated," unless your consultant tells you differently. Your consultant is expected to set out their fees to you in writing before an initial private consultation, so check the actual figure they send you rather than relying on any averaged number, including the one above.
For a like-for-like view by specialty, our private specialist fee index sets out the typical initial-consultation range for dermatology, neurology, psychiatry and ADHD, endocrinology and more, each with its source and date.
How to check a specialist and the hospital before you book
- Search the GMC register to confirm the doctor is registered and licensed to practise, and see their specialty and any sub-specialty listed.
- Check the hospital or clinic's CQC rating if it operates in England, rated Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, or Inadequate; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent regulators.
- Look up the specialist's profile and published fee data on PHIN, which collects safety, quality, and cost data from hundreds of hospitals and thousands of surgical consultants under a government mandate.
- Ask directly whether the quoted price is a package, covering hospital and follow-up together, or billed separately per service; PHIN notes the two structures are priced very differently.
Finding any other kind of private specialist
The five guides below cover the specialties people search for most, but the same checking process works for any private specialist. Doctors, including cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and every other medical specialty, are checked on the GMC register. Dentists are checked on the General Dental Council register instead. Physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, podiatrists, and several other allied health professions are checked on the Health and Care Professions Council register, not the GMC. Whichever register applies, the same principle holds: confirm the professional is on the correct register before you book, then check the clinic's CQC rating separately.
| Type of professional | Regulator | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Medical specialists (dermatologist, neurologist, oncologist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, and other doctors) | General Medical Council | GMC online register |
| Dentists and dental professionals | General Dental Council | GDC online register |
| Physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, podiatrists, and other allied health professionals | Health and Care Professions Council | HCPC register |
| Hospitals and clinics of any specialty, England | Care Quality Commission | CQC find a hospital or service tool |
Our specialist guides
These five guides go deeper on access, referral routes, and cost structure for each specialty.
Private dermatologist
Skin, mole, and hair conditions: access routes and how consultation fees are usually structured.
Private neurologist
Headaches, nerve, and movement conditions: what a neurology referral and consultation typically involves.
Private oncologist
Diagnosis, second opinions, and treatment planning: how private oncology access differs from other specialties.
Private psychiatrist
Assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing: how private psychiatry differs from talking-therapy services.
Private endocrinologist
Hormone, thyroid, and metabolic conditions: what to expect from a private endocrinology referral.
Need a GP first, or want to compare cover before you book a specialist?
We do not name or recommend a specific consultant or clinic on this page. See our editorial policy for how we research.
Sources checked
Checked in July 2026. Individual consultant and clinic fees change; always confirm the current figure in writing before your appointment.
- PHIN, understanding your consultant’s fees Used for how consultant fees are structured and what they exclude.
- PHIN, self-funding your private treatment Used for the typical initial consultation price range and package versus pay-per-service pricing.
- PHIN, who are PHIN Used for PHIN’s government-mandated role publishing private healthcare safety, quality, and cost data.
- GMC, our registers Used for how to check a doctor, including specialists, is registered and licensed.
- General Dental Council, online register Used for how to check a dentist or dental professional is registered.
- Health and Care Professions Council, check the register Used for how to check physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, and other allied health professionals.
- CQC, find a hospital Used for how to check a hospital or clinic’s rating in England.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral to see a private specialist?
Not always. Most private clinics accept direct, self-pay bookings without a GP letter, though a referral gives the specialist useful history and some clinics still ask for one. If you are claiming through private medical insurance, check your policy, many insurers require a GP referral before they will authorise a specialist claim.
How much does a private specialist consultation cost?
PHIN, the body that publishes UK private healthcare cost data, puts typical initial consultations at roughly £170 to £250, though specialists in London and those in high demand can charge more. Your consultant is expected to set out their actual fee in writing before the appointment, so check that figure rather than relying on an averaged range.
How do I check a private specialist is properly registered?
Search the GMC register for doctors, including every medical specialty, to confirm they are licensed to practise and see their listed specialty. Dentists are checked on the General Dental Council register instead, and professions such as physiotherapy and practitioner psychology are checked on the Health and Care Professions Council register.
Is the hospital or clinic itself regulated?
The Care Quality Commission rates hospitals and clinics in England on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, or Inadequate. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own equivalent regulator, so check the relevant one if the clinic operates outside England.
Can I use this approach for dentists, physiotherapists, or psychologists too?
Yes, the checking process is the same, only the register changes. Dentists sit on the General Dental Council register, and physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, podiatrists, and several other allied health professions sit on the Health and Care Professions Council register rather than the GMC.
This guide is independent and informational only. It is not medical advice. See our disclaimer and editorial policy for how we research and how we handle affiliate links.