DHU NHS 111
Private
Orbis1 Building, Riverside Court, Derby DE24 8HY
Private GP and health screening
Private GP clinics offer appointments — often same-day, evenings and weekends — outside the NHS, for a fee. They cover much the same ground as an NHS GP (consultations, referrals, prescriptions) plus services many people pay for directly: comprehensive health screening (well-man and well-woman checks), travel clinics and vaccinations, and private blood tests. Doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), and private GP clinics in England are registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission.
What you might use a private GP for
- Faster access — same-day or out-of-hours appointments when NHS waits are long.
- Health screening — bundled checks (blood pressure, bloods, ECG and more) to review your overall health.
- Travel health — pre-travel advice, vaccinations and antimalarials.
- Private referrals and prescriptions — a private GP can refer you to a consultant or arrange tests privately.
Private and NHS together
Seeing a private GP does not remove you from NHS care — you can use both. A private prescription can usually be dispensed at any pharmacy (you pay the medicine's actual cost rather than the NHS charge). If a private GP identifies something needing ongoing NHS treatment, they can write to your NHS GP with your consent.
Choosing a clinic
Check the clinic's CQC rating where available, that its doctors are GMC-registered, and exactly what each fee includes. This page is information only, not medical advice — consult a clinician about your health.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can usually book a private GP appointment directly, without a referral. If you have private medical insurance, check whether your policy needs a referral for onward specialist care.
Yes. A private GP can issue a private prescription, which most pharmacies can dispense — you pay the actual cost of the medicine rather than the NHS prescription charge. With your consent, they can also write to your NHS GP about ongoing care.
It varies by clinic and package, but health screens often include checks such as blood pressure, blood tests, body measurements and sometimes an ECG, with a consultation to discuss the results. Always check exactly what a package covers before booking.
Yes. Private GP clinics in England are registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission, and their doctors are registered with the General Medical Council.