A UK Doctor for British Expats in 2026. What a London Doctor Can Do by Video Wherever You Live, and How to Use Your Visits Home

Written By Sama Samy

Living abroad usually means losing easy access to a British doctor, and for many expats that matters most when something needs a second opinion, a result needs explaining, or a family member needs advice in English from someone who understands the NHS. Around 246,000 British nationals emigrated in the year to December 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, and the United Nations estimates that at least 4.8 million people born in Britain live overseas. Once you live abroad you are usually no longer ordinarily resident in the UK, so most NHS hospital care becomes chargeable, although some groups, such as certain UK state pensioners in the EU with an S1 form, keep particular rights. A London doctor can help by video with advice, interpretation of results and scans, a second view on a diagnosis or treatment plan, and planning care for your next visit home. What can be prescribed across borders depends on the law where you live, and the GMC’s principles for remote care require doctors to check this, so prescriptions are usually arranged with a local doctor or collected while you are in London. At The Wellness a video consultation is available the same day from £150, and a visit to London can be used for the Executive Health Programme from £11,995 or ongoing family care through the Family Office Programme from £49,995. Fees appear further down this page.

Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 9 October 2026.

Speak to a UK doctor from abroad on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.

Key facts for British expats

  • Living abroad usually ends ordinary residence, so most NHS hospital care becomes chargeable.

  • Some groups keep particular rights, including some UK state pensioners in the EU with an S1 form.

  • A UK doctor can advise, explain results and give a second view on a diagnosis by video.

  • Prescribing across borders depends on the law in your country, and a UK prescription generally cannot be dispensed abroad.

  • A visit home is the ideal time for a full assessment, tests and specialist appointments.

What can a London doctor do for you by video

Explain results and reports. Blood tests, scans and specialist letters from abroad are read and explained in plain English, with what they mean for you and what questions to ask locally.

Give a second view. A doctor can review a diagnosis or a treatment plan you have been given and tell you whether it fits UK guidance, what the alternatives are, and what a specialist in London would usually advise.

Advise on new symptoms. A video consultation can help you decide how urgent something is and what to do next where you live.

Support your family. Parents in the UK and children studying here can be seen in person, with updates to you abroad when they agree.

What cannot be done across borders

The GMC and other UK regulators’ principles for remote consultations require doctors to check whether they need to be registered in the patient’s country, to follow local rules on prescribing and supplying medicines, and to consider how the patient will be monitored locally.

In practice, a UK private prescription generally cannot be dispensed by a pharmacy outside the UK. Ongoing treatment is therefore usually prescribed by a local doctor, with our advice to support it, or collected while you are in London.

Emergencies always go to local emergency services where you are.

Ask what we can do where you live on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.

Are you still entitled to NHS care as an expat

The NHS is a residence-based system. If you move abroad, you are usually no longer ordinarily resident, and most NHS hospital treatment becomes chargeable when you visit. GP practices may also remove patients who have moved abroad.

Some groups have particular rights. UK state pensioners living in the EU who are registered with an S1 form, and certain other groups under reciprocal agreements, can receive some NHS care when visiting. The rules are set out in government guidance on NHS entitlements, and they are worth checking before you travel.

How can you make the most of a visit to London

Plan ahead. A video consultation before you fly can decide which tests and scans are worth doing, so they are booked for the days you are here rather than after you leave.

Use the time well. A full assessment, blood tests at an accredited partner laboratory and imaging at a specialist centre can often be completed within a few days, with results explained before you return.

Bring your records. Recent results, scan reports and a list of medicines from your local doctor allow the London doctor to build on what is already known.

Leave with a plan. A written summary for your local doctor turns the visit into continuing care rather than a one-off appointment.

What does private care for expats cost

Family office healthcare and longevity memberships at the top of the London market run into tens of thousands of pounds a year, and consultant-led executive assessments commonly cost several thousand pounds.

At The Wellness each appointment is a single fee, with written summaries included. All figures are from prices.

  • Family Office Programme, 12 months covering a principal and up to 3 family members, each with their own doctor and record, from £49,995.

  • Platinum Membership, from £17,450 a year. Signature Membership, from £6,950 a year or £610 a month.

  • Executive Health Programme, the most comprehensive assessment for your visit home, from £11,995.

  • Complete Biomarker Assessment, over 100 markers with consultation, from £1,400.

  • Extended 45-minute video consultation for complex questions or a second view, from £395.

  • Same-day video consultation, from £150.

Video consultations are available 7 days a week, across time zones, with in-person appointments at our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia, whenever you are home.

Why British expats choose The Wellness

Because you can speak to a UK doctor, in English, wherever you are.

Because results and reports from abroad are explained clearly, with the questions to take back to your local doctor.

Because a visit home is planned in advance, so tests, scans and specialists fit the days you are here.

Because the whole family can be looked after, including parents in the UK and children studying here.

And because we are clear about what can and cannot be done across borders, so the advice can be trusted.

Related reading

Private second medical opinion covers reviewing a diagnosis in detail, executive health screening covers a full assessment during a visit, a private doctor for elderly parents covers family members in the UK, and private GP for international students covers children studying in London.

Book a video consultation on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see a UK doctor online if I live abroad

Yes. A London doctor can advise, explain results and give a second view on a diagnosis or treatment plan by video. What can be prescribed depends on the law where you live.

Can a UK doctor prescribe medication to me abroad

Usually not in a form you can use locally, because a UK prescription generally cannot be dispensed by a pharmacy outside the UK. Treatment is usually prescribed by a local doctor, with our advice, or collected while you are in London.

Am I still entitled to the NHS if I live abroad

Usually not for most hospital care, because entitlement depends on being ordinarily resident in the UK. Some groups, such as certain UK state pensioners in the EU with an S1 form, keep particular rights.

Can you review my blood tests and scans from another country

Yes. Results and reports from abroad can be reviewed and explained by video, with clear next steps to take to your local doctor.

What should I do on a visit home to London

Plan a video consultation before you travel so tests, scans and appointments are booked for the days you are here, bring recent records, and leave with a written summary for your local doctor.

How much does a video consultation cost for expats

At The Wellness a same-day video consultation is from £150, and an extended 45-minute consultation for complex questions or a second view from £395.

The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group providing medical care from our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only following a consultation and clinical assessment, and only where it is lawful and safe to do so. In an emergency, contact local emergency services, or call 999 in the UK. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.

Enquire now on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.

References

Sama Samy
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