The "Free" NHS Appointment That Actually Costs You £200
There is a persistent myth in the UK that healthcare is "free." While we don't pay at the point of use for the NHS, accessing that care often comes with significant hidden costs—especially if you are self-employed, a contractor, or valued on an hourly rate.
If you wake up sick, you face a choice. You can spend the morning calling the GP surgery 40 times, sitting in a phone queue, and potentially losing half a day of work to travel to an appointment (if you get one). Or, you can pay a small fee to sort it out immediately.
For many professionals, the "free" option is actually the most expensive one. Here is why the smart money is moving to private GP appointments.
The Maths of Being Self-Employed
If you are a freelancer, consultant, or tradesperson, time literally is money. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK is currently around £116.75 per week. That is often less than what many contractors earn in half a day.
Let's look at the real cost of an NHS appointment for a self-employed person earning £300 a day:
Time spent on phone/hold: 1 hour (£37.50 lost billable time).
Travel to/from surgery: 1 hour (£37.50 lost billable time).
Waiting room time: 30 mins (£18.75 lost billable time).
Appointment time: 15 mins.
Pharmacy queue: 30 mins (£18.75 lost billable time).
Total Cost: £112.50 in lost income, plus travel costs. And that is assuming you get an appointment on the same day (which is rare). If you have to take a whole day off because you feel too ill to manage the logistics, you have lost £300.
Compare that to a £49 online GP appointment.
Book online: 2 minutes.
Consultation: 15 minutes from your desk or bed.
Prescription: Sent electronically to the pharmacy next to your house.
Back to work: Immediately (or resting without stress).
Net Saving: You are up over £60 (or £250 if it saved you taking a full sick day).
The "Opportunity Cost" for Employees
Even if you are employed, taking time off is not "free." It costs you political capital at work. It adds to your backlog when you return. It uses up leave days you wanted to save for a holiday.
Many employers are now recognizing that it is cheaper to pay for a private GP appointment for their staff than to have them out of the office for half a day "trying to see a doctor."
The Value of Speed
Medical issues compound over time. A minor infection treated today with a simple antibiotic might clear up in 48 hours. Left for three weeks while you wait for an NHS slot? It could turn into a chest infection requiring two weeks off work.
Paying for speed is not just about convenience; it is about damage limitation. It stops a small problem becoming a career-impacting illness.
Calculate the value of your time and book here
Shifting Your Mindset
We happily pay £60 for a car service to keep our vehicle running. We pay £100 for a meal out. Yet we hesitate to pay £50 to ensure our body—the vehicle that generates all our income—is functioning correctly.
Private healthcare isn't a luxury for the rich. It is a productivity tool for the smart. It buys you back your time, your focus, and your health.
Next time you are ill, don't ask "Can I afford a private doctor?" Ask yourself, "Can I afford the cost of not seeing one today?"
