Booking a Private Consultant in the UK: The Questions That Save You Money

Why the advertised price is rarely the final price

A private specialist consultation is usually quoted as a single initial consultation fee. That fee typically buys the appointment itself — the clinician's time, an examination and their opinion. It commonly does not include imaging, blood tests, procedures, or the follow-up appointment where results are discussed.

That is not a trick; it is how the sector prices. But it means the number in the search result is a starting figure, not a total. The way to avoid an unwelcome bill is to ask about the whole pathway before you book, not after the first appointment.

Do you need a referral?

It depends on the clinic and on how you are paying.

• Self-paying: many private clinics will see you without a GP referral letter, though some specialties and some individual consultants still ask for one.
• Using private medical insurance: insurers very often require a referral before they will authorise the appointment, and requirements differ between policies.

Do not assume either way. Ask the clinic what they need, and if you are insured, ring your insurer before booking — not after. Booking first and seeking authorisation second is the most common way people end up personally liable for a bill they expected to be covered.

The questions to ask the clinic

On the consultation itself

• What is the initial consultation fee, and how long is the appointment?
• Is this a face-to-face or remote appointment, and can I choose?

On what comes after

• If tests or imaging are recommended, are they done on site, and what do they cost?
• Is there a separate follow-up fee to discuss results, and roughly how many follow-ups are typical for this kind of problem?
• If a procedure is recommended, will I get a written quote covering everything — the consultant's fee, the facility fee, anaesthetics and aftercare — before I agree?

On admin

• Will you write to my NHS GP, and do I need to consent to that?
• What is your cancellation policy, and by when must I cancel to avoid a charge?
• Do you charge for a prescription, or for writing a letter or report?

If you are insured

• Are you recognised by my insurer?
• Will you invoice my insurer directly, or do I pay and claim back?
• Is there anything about this appointment my policy is unlikely to cover?

Get the important answers in writing

For anything beyond a single consultation — a procedure, a scan, a course of treatment — ask for a written quote. A clinic that treats this as an awkward request is telling you something useful.

On choosing the clinician

You can look up any UK doctor on the General Medical Council's register to confirm their registration and, where applicable, their entry on the specialist register. That is the authoritative source; use it directly rather than relying on a profile page anywhere, including ours.

Beyond registration, reasonable things to weigh are how much of their practice is in the specific problem you have, whether they see the condition regularly, and whether you can get a follow-up with the same person rather than a colleague.

A note on second opinions

Paying for a second opinion is a legitimate use of private care and clinicians are used to being asked. Bring what you already have — previous letters, test results, scan reports. A second opinion given without sight of the first assessment is worth considerably less, and you may end up paying to repeat tests you have already had.

How Roshtah fits

Roshtah shows consultation fees and real availability up front and lets you book directly with the practice, so the first conversation about cost happens before you commit rather than at reception. Anything beyond the consultation fee is set by the clinic — the questions above are still worth asking.