How to Book a Private GP Appointment in the UK
Last updated June 2026
Medically reviewed by the GMC-registered doctors at The Online GP by The Wellness
Booking a private GP appointment in the UK is far simpler than most people expect. There is no registration, no referral, and no wait for an NHS slot. You can be seen the same day, often within hours, by phone, video or in person. This guide explains exactly how to book, what you need, and what to expect, so you can see a doctor today.
Want to book now. Message The Online GP by The Wellness on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
How do I book a private GP appointment in the UK
To book a private GP appointment in the UK, you simply contact the clinic directly. You do not need to register or have a referral. With The Online GP by The Wellness you message on WhatsApp, describe what you need, and a GMC-registered doctor arranges a same-day phone, video or in-person appointment, usually within hours.
Private general practice removes the barriers people associate with seeing a doctor. There is no waiting list to join, no 8am phone scramble, and no need to be a registered patient first. You contact the clinic, explain your problem in a sentence or two, and you are booked in. Most established private clinics now offer same-day appointments as standard, and many run evenings and weekends. The Online GP by The Wellness is a GMC-registered, Care Quality Commission standard clinic in Marylebone offering same-day appointments across the UK, with prescriptions, sick notes and referral letters included in the consultation.
What are the steps to book
Booking takes three steps. First, contact the clinic with a brief description of your symptoms or what you need. Second, choose a phone, video or in-person appointment at a time that suits you. Third, attend your appointment and leave with a plan, a prescription, or a referral letter as needed.
The whole process is designed to be quick and friendly. With The Online GP by The Wellness the steps look like this.
Send a WhatsApp message or email saying what you need, for example a same-day appointment, a repeat prescription, a sick note, or a referral.
The team confirms a time that day and tells you whether phone, video or in person suits your problem best.
You speak with a GMC-registered doctor for an unhurried consultation, and anything you need, a prescription to a local pharmacy, a fit note, a referral letter, is sorted during the appointment.
There is no form to wrestle with and no membership to buy first. If your problem needs an examination, bloods or a scan, the Marylebone clinic handles that too.
To start, send a WhatsApp message here.
Do I need to register or have a referral
No. You do not need to register with a private GP or have a referral from your NHS GP to book a private appointment. Anyone can self-refer to a private GP directly. You also keep your NHS GP, since private and NHS care work alongside each other rather than replacing one another.
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about going private. People assume they must leave their NHS practice or get permission first. You do not. You can see a private GP for a one-off problem, a second opinion, or ongoing care while remaining registered with your NHS surgery. There is no commitment and no paperwork to transfer. You simply book when you need to. For anyone new to the UK, this also means you can access a doctor immediately without waiting to register anywhere.
How quickly can I be seen
You can usually be seen the same day, often within hours of getting in touch. The Online GP by The Wellness offers same-day phone, video and in-person appointments, with replies on WhatsApp typically within minutes during clinic hours.
Speed is the main reason people choose private general practice, particularly with NHS routine appointments now often quoted at one to three weeks. A private clinic holds time open through the day rather than releasing a handful of slots at dawn, so a same-day appointment is realistic when you actually need one. For something urgent but not an emergency, a chest infection, a urinary tract infection, a worrying rash, a child with a fever, this is the difference between being seen now and waiting. For anything that could be life-threatening, call 999 or go to accident and emergency rather than booking any appointment.
To be seen today, message us on WhatsApp.
What do I need for my appointment
You need very little. For a phone or video appointment you just need a quiet space and your phone. For an in-person appointment you simply attend the clinic. It helps to have a list of your current medications and a brief note of your symptoms, but nothing formal is required.
Preparation is minimal. Jot down when your symptoms started and anything that makes them better or worse, and have the names of any medicines you take to hand. If you want a repeat prescription, knowing the name and dose helps. Beyond that, the doctor leads the consultation. Because appointments run 20 to 30 minutes rather than the rushed few minutes that has become common elsewhere, there is time to cover everything properly. You leave with a clear plan and whatever documents you need.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a private GP appointment
Contact the clinic directly. With The Online GP by The Wellness you message on WhatsApp or email, describe what you need, and a GMC-registered doctor arranges a same-day phone, video or in-person appointment, usually within hours. No registration or referral is required.
Do I need to register with a private GP first
No. You can self-refer to a private GP without registering and without a referral, and you keep your NHS GP at the same time. Private and NHS care work alongside each other.
How quickly can I get a private GP appointment
Usually the same day, often within hours. The Online GP by The Wellness offers same-day phone, video and in-person appointments, with WhatsApp replies typically within minutes.
Can I get a prescription or sick note in the appointment
Yes. Prescriptions, fit notes and referral letters are included in the consultation at The Online GP by The Wellness, rather than charged as separate extras.
Can I see a private GP and keep my NHS GP
Yes. Seeing a private GP does not affect your NHS registration. Many people use private care for speed and convenience while remaining with their NHS surgery.
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