Private GPs - any experience or advice?

[FlorenceLyons]

Does anyone have any experience of using private GPs? My elderly mum, who has various complicated health issues, is considering going to one. She sees her current (NHS) GP very regularly - probably once every couple of weeks - plus various specialists for different things.

She feels that, though she likes and rates her GP, they never have enough time to really get to the bottom of the main reasons for her conditions, how the (many) medications she’s taking interact with each other, whether there are new things that could be tried to help her, etc.

She’s found two local private GPs, who offer a one-off hour-long appointment for £150, or unlimited (allegedly!) support for £120 a month.

My parents aren’t wealthy, but could find this money and are prepared to do so if it would make a significant difference to their lives. I’m sceptical - Mum already has a LOT of medical input, and I think she thinks there’s a miraculous cure out there if only someone would take the time to properly understand what’s wrong with her. But maybe it actually would help to have someone who could afford the time to give her more support than her poor hard-pressed current GP can?

Any experience or advice very welcome.

I have really depended on private GPs when my own GPs have completely failed.

I will say though that this is a telephone and video call service I use, that I get through work. But they have been brilliant so far.

I use a private GP all the time and they are fab. But they can’t refer to the NHS so all tests, treatments and prescriptions would all have to be paid for privately and can be very expensive. I was recently quoted over £1,000 for blood tests.

I use a private service through DH’s work, which has been excellent. Probably not more excellent than NHS practitioners, but they are completely inaccessible in my area. How on earth does your parent see a GP every 2 weeks? I haven’t managed to get an appointment in years. I wonder why.

Anyway, I echo PP’s - excellent service at an affordable cost, but the cost of any ongoing referrals or prescriptions could be eye watering.

I would happily use a private GP but unfortunately they can’t do referrals, if something needs further investigation I would have to visit my normal NHS GP.