Private GP services can offer a wide range of benefits for those seeking alternative routes to primary healthcare. With most offering longer appointment times, shorter waiting times and in some cases same-day appointments; the convenience of private care is becoming more accessible and popular.

How to Choose a Private GP

Choosing the right private GP service for your individual needs may feel like a daunting prospect. Of course, you may be fortunate and have a recommendation from a family member or friend, but there are other resources you can turn to in order to get verified evidence-based and non-biased guidance.

Whether you are turning to private care for more flexibility or choice, being able to understand more about the services offered by any private practice is key. One such way is by checking their most recent CQC report.

The Care Quality Commission is one such regulatory body that regulates health and adult social care services in England, which include independent (private) GP practices and private hospitals.

How the CQC Rate Private GP Services

The CQC rate the quality of services using four specific ratings:

• Outstanding
• Good
• Requires Improvement
• Inadequate

These ratings apply across all health care providers and therefore are one way in which you can compare and contrast services to help make well-informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right practice for you.

But What Do These Ratings Mean?

The ratings work similarly to a traffic light system from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’:

 

• Outstanding – This service is performing exceptionally well
• Good – This service is performing well and meeting the CQC’s expectations
• Requires Improvement – This service is not performing as well as it should and the CQC have told the service how it must improve.
• Inadequate – This service is performing badly and the CQC have taken action against the person or organisation who run it.

Ratings are linked to five specific key questions which form the areas of inspection:

 

1. Are services safe? Are patients kept safe from avoidable harm and abuse?
2. Are services effective? Do treatments provide good outcomes for patients whilst maintaining the quality of life and are they based on the best available evidence?
3. Are services caring? Are staff who provide treatment caring? Do they treat you with compassion, dignity, respect and kindness?
4. Are they responsive to people’s needs? Are the services provided organised so as your needs are met?
5. Are services responsive and well-led? Do those in leadership positions make sure they are providing high-quality care that is centred around your needs in an open and fair culture?

During an inspection, these five key questions are broken down further and used as benchmarking tools to really assess the services offered by each practice.

When inspecting private GP practices CQC inspectors may also focus on the quality of care to six focus groups, or ‘population groups’, which include:

 

1. Older persons
2. People with long-term conditions
3. Families, children and young people
4. Working-age people (including those who are recently retired and students)
5. People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable
6. People experiencing poor mental health (including those with dementia)

This is to ensure that health outcomes of care provided are inclusive and include, especially to those who are vulnerable.

In response to the increased demand for primary health care services, the CQC updated their regulatory approaches and from 16 March 2020 formal inspections were temporarily suspended but were reintroduced in September 2020.

The CQC aim to inspect new providers within 12 months of registration and if rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ are then reviewed each year.

So, Where Can You Find a Private GP Near You?

HealthHubble is proud to list an increasing number of CQC ‘Good’ rated private GP practices across England offering services from diagnostic testing, men’s and women’s health, family planning, allergy and intolerance clinics to same-day face to face appointments.

London Area:

The McAndrew Practice

Based in Kensington, West London, the McAndrew Practice offer 24-hour care throughout the week and at weekends. Services include:

• General and family medicine
• Preventative medicine and annual health checks
• Men’s and Women’s health
• Paediatrics and childhood immunisations
• Mental health
• Cryotherapy
• Travel vaccinations

ROC Private Clinic

Situated in the heart of the prestigious Harley Street district, ROC Private Clinic offers both specialist and GP services to private and corporate clients which include:

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Expat Services
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Sexual Health Clinic
• Breast Clinic

The GP Surgery

With two locations serving the Wimbledon and Fulham areas, The GP Surgery provides patients with affordable access to private health care.

Services include:

• Blood Tests
• Travel vaccinations
• Skin surgery (skin tag removal, mole removal, lipoma removal and earlobe repair)
• Ultrasound scans
• STI testing
• Cervical smear and HPV testing

Midlands:

Edgbaston Private Medical Practice

The Edgbaston Private Medical Practice offer private appointments with availability either same-day or within 24hours. Continuity of care is a key feature with patients seeing the same Doctor at every visit.

Services include:

• Health Assessments
• Referrals and specialist referrals
• Consultations
• Prescriptions
• Long term health support – diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure

Private GP Care

Situated in the heart of Birmingham, Private GP Care provides services 7 days per week. With appointments available within 24 hours, telephone and email support for registered patients is also available. Consultations can also be carried out at your home, office or hotel. Along with traditional family medicine, other services include:

• Health Assessments
• Weight Management
• Sexual Health Screening
• Travel Health

Your GP Circle

Based in both Sutton Coldfield and Bordesley Green, Your GP Circle provides both face-to-face, online consultations and a medication delivery service providing you with both convenience and peace of mind. Services include:

• Well Person Check
• Menopause Profile Health Check
• ECGs
• Sexual Health Clinic
• Contraceptive Injections

South East:

The Private GP Clinic Sevenoaks

Nestled in Underriver in Sevenoaks, The Private GP Clinic offers both face-to-face, video and telephone consultations for both new registrations and members at their practice. Services range from:

• Health Screening
• Vaccinations
• Women’s health
• Children’s services
• Travel clinic

Essex Private Doctors

Providing comprehensive medical care from their established surgery in Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex Private Doctors offer services six days per week with same-day emergency appointments usually available. Supporting the whole family, services include:

• Prescriptions
• Blood Tests
• Minor surgery
• Contraception
• Aesthetics

Private GP Services

Dedicated to providing an exceptional level of care, Private GP Services are based both at Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford and Oaks Hospital in Colchester offering services 6 days per week. As well as treating both acute and chronic illnesses, services also include:

• Preventative care
• Medicals
• Mole Screening
• Sexual Health
• Health Screening

South West:

Private Health Professionals

Located in the centre of Braunton, the multidisciplinary team at Private Health Professionals support health at all stages of life both clinically and holistically. Offering both specialist sport training programmes from beginners to elite athletes services also include:

• Menopause treatments
• Medication reviews
• Physiotherapy
• Osteopathy
• Hypnotherapy
• Acupuncture

Dorset Private GP

With clinics in both Bournemouth and Dorchester, Dorset Private GP offers both face to face and video consultations providing you with both flexibility and convenience. As well as the choice of extended GP consultation services also includes:

• Prescriptions and repeats with access to an onsite pharmacy
• Blood Testing
• Annual personalised health screening
• Prostate tests and examinations
• Sports Medicals
• Driver Medicals
• Work Medicals

Explore a full listing of private GP services at HealthHubble.

Keen to learn more? Discover more about UK Governing Bodies and Health Regulators and How to Fund Private Healthcare.