What a private GP appointment covers, and what it does not

Private GP services are paid for directly or through insurance or an employer. They typically offer faster appointments, a wider choice of times, longer slots and, in some practices, continuity with the same doctor. Some practices are registered with the Care Quality Commission in England. Private GPs do not have an NHS list, and you may remain registered with an NHS GP at the same time.

• New symptoms, ongoing problems, and discussion of several issues in one visit.

• Examination and, where available, in-house tests such as blood pressure checks, ECG, urine dipstick and some blood tests.

• Blood tests and imaging requested through private laboratories and imaging providers.

• Prescriptions, with the medicine supplied from a pharmacy at private prescription cost.

• Referral to private consultants, or a letter to your NHS GP for NHS referral.

• Health assessments, vaccinations and travel health advice, depending on the practice.

• Fit notes and medical letters, within professional rules.

Practices do not provide emergency care, out-of-hours cover in the NHS sense, long-term shared access to your NHS record or all NHS services such as screening invitations. Some do not manage complex chronic disease monitoring, such as diabetes reviews, in the way an NHS practice does under national contracts. Check what is included before you rely on a practice for ongoing care.

A private GP can prescribe medicines on a private prescription, which you take to a pharmacy and pay for. Controlled drugs and some medicines have restrictions. Blood tests requested privately are processed in private laboratories, and results are sent to the private GP. NHS laboratories do not usually process private requests. If an NHS GP is to take over prescribing or monitoring, they must agree to it.

Private care works best when information is shared. With your consent, a private GP can send a summary or test results to your NHS GP, and your NHS GP can request private records. Unshared information can cause duplication or unsafe prescribing. If you want NHS services, such as referral on an NHS pathway, your NHS GP will need to make the referral, although they can consider recommendations from a private doctor.

Ask what the consultation costs, what extra charges might apply for tests, procedures and letters, and what happens if follow-up is needed. Costs vary widely between practices and locations. Keep records of invoices. Read the practice's information about how data is stored and shared. Insurers may require a GP referral for some claims, so check your policy.