Private GP
Private GP Appointments & Prescriptions in Knightsbridge: How It Works
What a private GP appointment includes, how quickly you can be seen, what private doctors can and can’t do, how private prescriptions and repeat medication work, referrals and tests, sick notes and travel health, and what it costs.
By Fatemeh, Founder & Lead Practitioner, Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic 14 min read
Reviewed December 2025 
What a private GP appointment includes
A private GP consultation is a longer version of an NHS appointment — usually 20–30 minutes rather than 10 — giving time for a full history, examination and a clear plan. In a single visit a private GP can typically:
- Assess and manage acute illness (infections, skin problems, injuries, gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms, mental health)
- Review and adjust treatment for stable long-term conditions
- Perform examinations and simple in-clinic tests (blood pressure, urine dip, ECG, swabs)
- Arrange blood tests, imaging and other investigations, often same-week
- Issue a private prescription and a sick/fit note
- Write referral letters to private or NHS specialists
- Provide travel health advice and vaccinations
How quickly you can be seen
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Booking | Same or next day; often online |
| Registration | Usually not required — pay-as-you-go |
| Appointment types | In person, video or telephone |
| Out-of-hours | Varies by clinic; some offer evenings and weekends |
| Continuity | You can request the same GP for follow-ups |
Private GP care sits alongside, not instead of, your NHS registration.
Illustrative — NHS access varies widely by practice and demand. The main private-GP advantages are speed and appointment length.
How private prescriptions work
If a private GP prescribes medication, you receive a private prescription. Key differences from an NHS prescription:
- You pay the pharmacy the actual cost of the medicine plus a dispensing fee — this can be more or less than the NHS charge depending on the drug.
- NHS prescription prepayment certificates and exemptions do not apply.
- The prescription can be dispensed at most community pharmacies.
- A prescription-issue fee from the clinic is usually charged in addition to the consultation.
Controlled and specialist medicines
Controlled drugs (for example certain painkillers, ADHD medication, some sedatives) carry strict prescribing rules and often can’t be started at a first appointment without records. Some specialist, unlicensed or high-cost medicines may require a specialist’s involvement. Bring a full list of your current medicines and doses.
Repeat prescriptions and ongoing medication
- Bring evidence
A recent prescription, a printout from your NHS GP, or the medication packaging with your name on it. This lets the GP prescribe safely.
- Review
The GP checks the medicine is still appropriate, looks for interactions and monitoring needs, and may request recent bloods.
- Short bridging supply
Often a limited quantity is issued initially, with a longer supply once monitoring and records are in order.
- Ongoing plan
Agree who holds responsibility for long-term prescribing — your NHS GP, the private GP, or a specialist — so nothing falls through the gap.
Referrals, tests and results
A private GP can refer you to a private specialist (choose your consultant and be seen quickly) or into the NHS (a private referral letter is accepted by NHS services, and urgent suspected-cancer referrals follow the two-week-wait rule). They can also arrange blood tests, scans and other investigations directly.
Check what’s included
Ask whether interpreting results, a follow-up call, and writing the referral letter are covered by your consultation fee or charged separately — clinics differ.
Need to see a GP quickly?
Book a same or next-day private appointment in Knightsbridge — in person or by video — with time to actually talk things through.
Sick notes, fit notes and travel health
- Fit/sick notes: a private GP can issue a certificate for work after assessing you; employers accept private notes, though some ask for an NHS note after a set period.
- Travel health: risk assessment by destination, plus vaccinations (e.g. hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever where licensed, rabies) and antimalarial prescriptions.
- Letters: for insurance, schools, airlines (fitness to fly) and visas — usually a separate administrative fee.
When to use the NHS or emergency care instead
Call 999 or go to A&E for
Chest pain or tightness, symptoms of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), severe difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, severe allergic reaction, sudden severe headache, or a serious injury. A private GP clinic is not an emergency service and does not replace 999, A&E or your NHS GP for ongoing complex care.
What it costs in London
| Service | Typical London price |
|---|---|
| Standard consultation (20–30 min) | £95–£250 |
| Extended / complex consultation | £180–£350 |
| Video or telephone consultation | £70–£180 |
| Private prescription issue | £15–£40 (plus pharmacy drug cost) |
| Fit/sick note or standard letter | £20–£60 |
| Blood test panels | From £60–£300 depending on tests |
Fees vary by clinic and appointment type. Ask what follow-up and admin are included before booking.
How Levirgo’s private GP service works
- Same or next-day appointments in Knightsbridge, in person or by video.
- Unhurried consultations with time for a full history and examination.
- Private prescriptions, fit notes, referral letters and travel health in one visit.
- Same-week bloods and imaging arranged directly, with results explained.
- Clear, itemised pricing — you’re told what’s included and what’s extra before you book.
- CQC-registered clinic; your NHS registration is unaffected.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private GP appointment cost in Knightsbridge?
A standard 20–30 minute consultation is typically £95–£250 in London, with extended appointments £180–£350 and video or phone consultations £70–£180. Prescriptions, notes and tests are charged separately.
Do I need to register or leave my NHS GP?
No. Private GP care is usually pay-as-you-go with no registration, and it runs alongside your NHS practice. You stay registered with the NHS and can use both.
How does a private prescription work?
You take it to a community pharmacy and pay the actual cost of the medicine plus a dispensing fee, rather than a fixed NHS charge. NHS prepayment certificates and exemptions don’t apply. The clinic also charges a small prescription-issue fee.
Can a private GP prescribe my regular repeat medication?
Usually yes, once they’ve seen evidence of what you take (a recent prescription, an NHS printout, or labelled packaging) and confirmed it’s still appropriate. A short bridging supply is often given first, with a longer supply after any needed monitoring. You’ll agree who manages long-term prescribing going forward.
Can a private GP prescribe controlled drugs?
Only within strict rules, and often not at a first visit without records. This covers medicines such as strong opioids, ADHD stimulants and some sedatives. Bring documentation of any such medication you’re already prescribed.
Can a private GP give me a sick note for work?
Yes. After assessing you, a private GP can issue a fit/sick note, which employers generally accept. Some employers ask for an NHS note if you’re off beyond a certain period.
Can a private GP refer me to an NHS specialist?
Yes. A private referral letter is accepted by NHS services, including urgent two-week-wait cancer referrals. You can also be referred to a private consultant of your choice for faster access.
Will my private GP have my NHS medical records?
Not automatically. Bringing a summary from your NHS GP, a medication list and details of past conditions helps the private GP treat you safely, particularly for prescribing.
Can I claim on private medical insurance?
Some policies cover private GP visits or offer a separate GP service; many do not cover routine GP care. Check your policy, and ask the clinic for an itemised invoice you can submit.
When should I not use a private GP?
For emergencies — chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathlessness, heavy bleeding, serious injury — call 999 or go to A&E. A private GP is also not a substitute for ongoing NHS management of complex or unstable long-term conditions.
Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic · Knightsbridge
Fast, unhurried private GP care in Knightsbridge
Longer appointments, same-week tests, prescriptions and referrals — with transparent pricing. No registration required.
Sources & further reading
This article is general information about private GP services and prescribing in the UK and is not medical advice. It does not replace assessment by a clinician. In an emergency call 999. Prices are indicative London ranges for 2026 and are confirmed by the clinic before your appointment.