A Private GP Consultation for Your Child, What It Covers and When It Helps
Key Points
A private GP consultation for a child gives you unhurried time with a GMC-registered doctor to assess an illness, discuss an ongoing concern, get a referral moving faster, or get a second opinion, either in person or by video. It is not a replacement for A&E or 999 in an emergency, and it is not a substitute for NHS safeguarding or established specialist pathways. Private GP appointments in London commonly range from £70 for a straightforward telephone consultation to £250 or more for a same-day in-person visit, with exact pricing confirmed at booking.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated August 2026.
Every parent has had the experience of watching a child feel unwell and not being entirely sure what to do next. Wait and see. Call the GP surgery and hope for a same-day slot. Sit in an urgent care queue. A private GP consultation exists for the situations in between: not an emergency, but not something you want to leave until next week either.
If you're not sure whether your situation needs a private consultation, urgent NHS care, or can safely wait, ask us first, free of charge, and we'll tell you honestly which route makes sense.
Ask a doctor what's the right next step for your child or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
What a private GP consultation for a child can cover
A single consultation can address most of what would normally take a parent through the standard GP booking process, but with more time and less waiting.
Common childhood illnesses, such as ear infections, coughs, rashes, tummy upsets or fevers, can be assessed and treated the same day, with a prescription issued where appropriate. Ongoing concerns that never quite get resolved in a ten-minute NHS slot, such as recurrent infections, sleep problems, or behaviour a parent wants a professional view on, can be given the time they need. Growth or development questions can be discussed properly, including whether anything warrants closer monitoring or a referral. Referrals to a paediatric specialist can be arranged directly, often faster than the standard route, where a GP judges one is needed. A second opinion on an existing diagnosis or NHS treatment plan can give a family independent reassurance or a different perspective while NHS care continues. Vaccination questions, travel health advice, and general concerns a parent hasn't been able to get proper time to discuss all fit within a standard consultation too.
What it is not a substitute for
A private consultation is a useful tool, not a replacement for the parts of the system built for genuine emergencies or specialist, protected care.
Any child who is seriously unwell, struggling to breathe, unresponsive, having a seizure, or showing signs a parent would ordinarily call 999 for, needs emergency care immediately, not a booked appointment. Safeguarding concerns and child protection matters go through the NHS and local authority safeguarding routes, not private consultation. Established NHS specialist pathways, once a diagnosis or ongoing treatment plan is in place, usually continue to be led by the NHS team already involved, with a private GP supporting rather than replacing that relationship.
Knowing which category a concern falls into is often the hardest part, which is why the first conversation with us is always free and always honest about which route is right.
Free 15-minute call before you book anything
In person or by video
Not every concern needs a physical examination straight away. A video consultation with a GMC-registered doctor works well for discussing symptoms, reviewing a rash or photo, talking through test results, or simply getting a professional view before deciding on next steps. It also tends to be the faster and more affordable route when an in-person examination isn't strictly necessary.
An in-person consultation makes more sense where a physical examination is needed, such as listening to a chest, checking ears or throat, or assessing a growth or development concern properly. The doctor leading the consultation will tell you plainly, before you commit to anything, whether video is appropriate or whether your child needs to be seen in person.
What consultations typically cost
Private GP appointments in London vary by clinic, format and complexity. A straightforward telephone consultation commonly starts from around £70. A same-day in-person appointment, particularly one that includes examination and same-visit prescribing, more commonly runs from £120 to £250 or more, depending on what's needed.
At The Wellness, consultations for children are arranged flexibly around what your family actually needs, whether that's a one-off same-day appointment, a video consultation, or ongoing continuity with the same doctor for a ongoing concern. Because the right format and length depend on the situation, pricing is confirmed at booking rather than fixed to a single package.
Why continuity matters more with children
A child seen by the same doctor over several visits gets a meaningfully different quality of care than one seen by a different clinician each time. That doctor already knows the growth pattern, the family history, what's been tried before, and what didn't work.
This is why, at The Wellness, families who use us more than once are actively encouraged to book with the same doctor where possible, and why a consultation doesn't end at the appointment. Where a referral, repeat test, or follow-up is needed, the same team coordinates it, rather than leaving a parent to start again from scratch with someone new.
Book a GP consultation for your child or call 020 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions
What can a private GP consultation for a child cover? Assessment and treatment of common illnesses, ongoing health concerns, growth and development questions, referrals to paediatric specialists, second opinions on existing diagnoses, and general advice such as vaccination or travel health.
Is a private GP consultation a substitute for A&E? No. Any child showing signs of a genuine emergency, such as difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness or a seizure, needs 999 or A&E immediately, not a booked private appointment.
Can a child's GP consultation be done by video? Yes, where a physical examination isn't strictly necessary. Video works well for discussing symptoms, reviewing test results or getting a professional view before deciding on next steps. Where an examination is needed, the doctor will advise an in-person appointment instead.
How much does a private GP consultation for a child cost in London? Telephone consultations commonly start from around £70. Same-day in-person appointments, particularly with examination and prescribing, more commonly run from £150 to £250 or more, depending on the clinic and what's needed.
Can the same doctor see my child every time? At The Wellness, families are encouraged to book with the same doctor for continuity where possible, so growth pattern, family history and previous concerns don't need to be re-explained at every visit.
Does a private consultation replace my child's NHS GP? No. It works alongside NHS care rather than replacing it, and is particularly useful for faster access, longer appointment time, or a second opinion, while ongoing or safeguarding-related care continues through the NHS.
The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group in London. All doctors are GMC-registered. This service does not replace emergency care, safeguarding services or established NHS specialist pathways. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice.
Enquire about a GP consultation for your child or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
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