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Original poster

NHS GPs with Private Clinic

31 replies

Digestification · 04/05/2025 15:04

I don’t know what to think about this. I’ve discovered that the two senior partners at my GP practice have opened a private clinic, specialising in Botox, fillers and the like and weight loss treatments. The practice manager is also a partner in the new clinic.

The last time I called the NHS practice for an appointment, I was 36 in the call queue. It’s virtually impossible to get to see a GP, with most appointments being telephone only. The last time I had a telephone appointment, the GP was a trainee and was useless.

Clearly the two senior partners and their practice manager are too busy with their private work, to bother with their NHS patients.

This feels all sorts of wrong to me. What does anyone else think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Digestification · 04/05/2025 15:28

Thanks for your posts everyone. I guess I just wish the NHS service provided was better but then don’t we all wish for that?

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 04/05/2025 15:22

they're doing it on their days off not their NHS time. It's not making a difference to NHS appointment availability.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 04/05/2025 15:21

Honestly don't see the problem

The NHS is an utterly woeful health service but those working for, or holding contracts with it, aren't owned by it.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 04/05/2025 15:18

Hospital consultants also undertake private practice.
This is how the NHS works, it's built into contracts

Original poster
Digestification · 04/05/2025 15:14

@mindutopia thanks for your post, it does clarify the situation somewhat.

OP posts:
mindutopia · 04/05/2025 15:10

It’s not that they are too busy with private work. It’s simply that they aren’t fully employed in the NHS. Most GPs don’t work FT technically, even though they may work near 40 hours a week. If the practice wanted more GP time, it could buy it in, assuming the funding is there.

I mean, yes, it would put me off and I’d probably change GPs, but lots of GPs do private work outside of what they are contracted to do for the NHS. That doesn’t explain the waiting time though because they could better staff the surgery, if they wanted to.