Reviewed by The Wellness Team. Last reviewed October 2026.
Visitors to London can see a private GMC-registered doctor the same day by phone, video, at a clinic, or at their hotel. The doctor can treat common illnesses, issue a UK prescription and provide an invoice for travel insurance. The Online GP by The Wellness offers telephone consultations from £59, video from £150 and hotel or home visits from £450.
Key points
- You do not need to be registered with a UK doctor to book a private GP appointment in London.
- Prescriptions written in many countries, including the United States, cannot be dispensed by UK pharmacies, so a UK doctor needs to issue a new one.
- Antibiotics and most prescription medicines cannot be bought over the counter in the UK.
- The emergency number in the UK is 999, and 112 also works from any phone.
- The Online GP by The Wellness offers telephone consultations from £59, 30-minute video consultations from £150, same-day appointments from £220 and visits to hotels and homes across London from £450.
What should I do if I fall ill while visiting London?
If you fall ill while visiting London, start by deciding how urgent it is. For a medical emergency, call 999. For anything else, a private GP can usually see you the same day by phone or video, often within hours, without registration. The doctor then decides whether you need an in-person visit, a prescription or further tests.
Common reasons visitors book include sore throats, chest infections, flu-like illness, stomach upsets, urinary infections, skin rashes, insect bites, allergic reactions, migraine, jet lag and sleep problems, and running out of a regular medicine.
Message a doctor on WhatsApp from your hotel.
Can I see a doctor by video or phone while staying in a hotel?
Yes. A phone or video consultation is often the quickest way for a visitor to see a doctor. You speak to a GMC-registered doctor from your hotel room, and if a prescription is needed the doctor sends it to a pharmacy near you. A video call lets the doctor see a rash, an eye or a throat.
The Online GP by The Wellness runs telephone consultations of around 15 minutes from £59 and video consultations of around 30 minutes from £150. Our guide to what a GP can do over the phone or by video explains what remote appointments can handle.
Can a doctor come to my hotel?
Yes. A private doctor can visit you at your hotel, apartment or home in London when you are too unwell to travel or need an examination. The Online GP by The Wellness offers hotel and home visits across London from £450, including assessment, treatment advice, prescriptions and an itemised invoice.
A hotel visit suits visitors with a high temperature, severe vomiting, suspected chest infection, a child who is unwell, or anyone who needs to be examined but cannot easily travel. The concierge can help with access and directions.
For an in-person appointment at the clinic, The Online GP by The Wellness sees patients at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, London, with same-day urgent appointments from £220.
Can I use a prescription from my home country in the UK?
Prescriptions written in many countries, including the United States, cannot be dispensed by UK pharmacies. A UK-registered doctor needs to assess you and issue a new prescription. Bringing your medicine packaging, a recent prescription or a letter from your own doctor makes this quicker and safer.
Medicine names and doses can differ between countries, so the doctor checks the active ingredient and strength before prescribing. Controlled medicines need a video consultation and access to your medical records, under UK prescribing guidance.
Our guide to online prescriptions in the UK explains what can be prescribed remotely. Repeat prescriptions start from £45 and urgent refills from £110.
Arrange a replacement prescription on WhatsApp.
Will travel insurance pay for a private doctor in London?
Many travel insurance policies cover private doctor consultations and prescriptions for illness abroad, subject to the policy terms and excess. The Online GP by The Wellness provides an itemised invoice and a consultation summary that you can submit with your claim. Check your policy or call your insurer's assistance line before booking if you are unsure.
Some insurers and assistance companies arrange the appointment for you. If your policy requires approval first, ask the insurer to contact The Online GP by The Wellness directly.
When should a visitor go to hospital instead?
A visitor should call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department for chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke such as face drooping or arm weakness, heavy bleeding, a severe allergic reaction, a seizure, or a rash that does not fade under a glass. These need emergency care, not a booked appointment.
For anything less urgent, a same-day private GP is usually faster. Pharmacists in London can also advise on minor problems and sell many non-prescription medicines.
How much does it cost to see a private doctor in London as a visitor?
Some central London practices charge £150 or more for a 15-minute remote consultation, according to a 2026 private GP fee guide. At The Online GP by The Wellness, telephone consultations start from £59, video consultations from £150 and same-day urgent appointments from £220.
Hotel and home visits across London start from £450. Prescriptions are issued during the consultation where clinically appropriate, and the pharmacy charges separately for the medicine. Book a same-day doctor on WhatsApp.
Can a doctor tell me which appointment I need?
Yes. The Online GP by The Wellness offers a free suitability review. Send your symptoms, where you are staying in London and any regular medicines on WhatsApp. A doctor tells you whether a call, a video consultation or a hotel visit suits you, or tells you plainly if a pharmacist can help.
Start your free suitability review on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register with a UK doctor to see a private GP?
No. Visitors can book a one-off private GP appointment without registering, with payment at the time of booking.
Can I get antibiotics as a tourist in London?
Antibiotics need a prescription in the UK. A private GP can prescribe them after a phone, video or in-person consultation when a bacterial infection is likely.
Can a doctor see my child at the hotel?
Yes. A doctor can visit children at a hotel or home in London. Tell the team the child's age when you book.
What number do I call in an emergency in London?
Call 999 for emergencies. The European emergency number 112 also works throughout the UK.
Will I get paperwork for my insurer?
Yes. You receive an itemised invoice and a consultation summary that you can submit with a travel insurance claim.
Sources
- High level principles for good practice in remote consultations and prescribing, UK healthcare regulators
- GMC, Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices, updated April 2021
- MMS Clinic, Private GP consultation fees UK 2026 cost guide