How much does it cost to see a private consultant?

What is a private consultation?

Put simply, private consultants provide medical consultations. These typically involve medical assessments with the aim of providing a diagnosis and treatment plan. Diagnostic tests often include:

• blood tests
• diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans)
• swabs
• assessment of medical history.

The benefits

The benefits of private consultations are very similar to those associated with private medical treatment. Likely the most important of these is the short waiting times. While NHS patients may be waiting months for a consultation, private medical consultations are typically available within weeks. The latest NHS waiting times are available on the My Planned Care website.¹
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)

At Practice Plus Group, initial consultations are available within 1-2 weeks of enquiry.

Among the other benefits of private consultations are the ability to:

• choose a time and date that suits you
• choose your own consultant
• treatment plan tailored to your specific needs
• wider range of treatments that may be unavailable on the NHS.

What happens at a consultation?

So, we’ve covered the benefits, it’s time to look at what to expect from your surgery consultation.

What happens at your consultation depends on your specific medical issue but they typically involve the following:

• an in-depth discussion: this is about your specific issue and may include questions about your condition and family medical history
• a physical assessment: this may include blood tests, x-rays, and/or swabs.
• a tailored treatment plan: this is designed around your specific needs and is designed to give you the best chance at making a full and speedy recovery.

NHS vs private consultation costs

As you probably already know, the main difference between NHS and private consultations is cost. NHS consultations are free of charge while private patients need to pay for theirs. Costs vary depending on the treatment needed and location in the country.

Average cost of seeing a private consultant in the UK

The average cost of a private consultation in the UK is £183.26.
(*Figure correct as of 22/01/2025 and derived from data provided by MyTribe.)

This figure takes into account 15 different branches of medical treatment and is a UK average with regards to location.

If we delve deeper into specifics, we do start to see differences in price. For example, the average cost of a private consultation with a gynaecologist in the Birmingham area is £220. This is, on average, £40 more expensive than a private gynaecology consultation in the Southampton area, which costs £180.

Looking at another example, the average cost of seeing a private ophthalmology specialist in Birmingham is £240. A consultation in Northern Ireland for the same type of treatment costs, on average, £150.

At Practice Plus Group, the cost of a private consultation is just £95. This includes an in-depth discussion about your specific issue, a physical assessment, and a tailored treatment plan.

What influences the cost of a private consultation?

As we’ve already seen, there are a number of factors that can and do influence the cost of private treatment.

Type of treatment
The type of treatment needed plays a big part when it comes to cost. On average in the UK, it costs a lot more to see a psychiatrist privately (£300) than an orthodontist (£80).

Location
The other major factor is location. On average, seeking private consultations with specialists based in the major UK cities is going to cost you more compared to less densely populated areas. For example, the average cost of a private ophthalmology consultation in Manchester is £250, whereas in Northern Ireland, the average cost is £150.

Consultant experience
Another factor to take into account is the amount of experience a consultant has. A specialist with 30 years’ experience in their field is much more likely to be able to charge consultant fees higher than that of a newly qualified specialist. Some consultants work independently from healthcare providers and are subsequently able to implement their own pricing structures.

How to find the best value for private healthcare

This may sound like a bit of a cop-out but the answer to this is rather subjective. Pricing will depend on your location in the UK, how experienced your chosen consultant is, and the type of treatment you need. It’s worth remembering you do have the ability to shop around. For example, if you’re willing to travel, you may find a private consultation (and private healthcare in general) is a fair bit cheaper in a different part of the UK.

At Practice Plus Group, a private consultation costs just £95. This price is inclusive of diagnostic tests needed such as x-rays, blood tests, and swabs. Treatment costs depend on your specific issue and how a consultant recommends dealing with it. At Practice Plus Group, the waiting time for a private consultation is 1-2 weeks. Regardless of the type of treatment needed, private patients can expect to wait for just 4-6 weeks following that initial consultation.

Comparing private consultant costs

As we’ve already seen in this article, there are a number of different factors that affect private consultation costs. Location, treatment type, and experience level of the consultant all contribute but did you know some consultants set their own price? For example, the cost of private consultation at Spire Healthcare ranges from £150-£500. While at Nuffield Health, consultants set their own price depending on their experience level, availability, and the type of treatment needed.

The table below provides an idea of private consultation prices among private healthcare providers in the UK.

Is seeing a private consultant worth the cost?

The answer to this question is entirely dependent on your personal circumstances. If you have the financial means to cover your healthcare privately, you’ll benefit from shorter waiting times and the flexibility of choosing a time and date for your treatment to suit you. You’ll also benefit from tailored private care meaning your chosen consultant will be with you every step of the way during your healthcare journey.

Hear from a past patient

“I’m so glad I decided to pay for my surgery privately at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough. Everything went so well and the hospital staff were incredible.”

Get a private consultation near you

If you’re paying for your own treatment, you can generally self-refer. This means you won’t necessarily need to make a GP appointment beforehand. Simply give our Private Patient Advisors a call on 0330 822 6528 to find out what your options are. Once your referral is dealt with, our friendly staff will book you in at the private hospital of your choice.

Sources and references

¹ My Planned Care

² GlobMed: How much does orthopaedic surgery cost?

• My Tribe Insurance: How much does it cost to see a private consultant in the UK?

Acknowledgements