DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a private specialist consultation cost in the UK?
A private consultation is your first sit-down with a consultant, before any scan or treatment gets discussed. With NHS waiting lists at record levels, more people are paying just to get seen and get a plan. The one thing worth grasping early is that the consultant's fee and the hospital's fee are two separate bills, even though they arrive as a single visit.
The quick version
- The consultant fee for the initial appointment is charged by the doctor, not the hospital, and a follow-up review is usually cheaper than the first visit.
- An initial private consultation almost never includes tests. An MRI scan, blood tests or an ultrasound ordered on the day are billed separately, on top of the consultation fee itself.
- You can look up a consultant's fees and volumes through PHIN, the Private Healthcare Information Network, before you commit to a booking.
- Prices vary by specialty. A straightforward outpatient specialty tends to cost less than a complex surgical one, and the gap between the two can be significant.
- The hospital or clinic a consultant works from changes the price too, even for the same doctor, because the room and admin costs are set by the venue, not the specialist.
- Seeing a consultant privately does not force you into private treatment. You can take their advice and any letter back to the NHS if you prefer that route.
What people actually paid
Where these 4 prices come from — 3 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the specialist consult page.
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 90% more than the advertised list price for specialist consult.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £275“Went to see her as nhs waiting lists are so long ... So paid for their rheumatologist.”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Two separate bills sit behind the total, and that is why quotes for what looks like the same appointment can differ so much. The consultant sets their own fee, which reflects their specialty, reputation and how in demand they are, while the hospital or clinic charges on top for the room, admin and any tests done on site. A brand name group such as Spire, Nuffield or Ramsay usually prices higher than an independent clinic for the same slot, because you're also paying for their overheads and reputation. The specialty matters too, so an initial cardiology or orthopaedic opinion often costs more than a general one, reflecting the training and equipment behind it. Region plays a part as well. Consultants in London and the South East tend to set higher fees than those in other parts of the country, partly because their own costs of running a clinic are higher there and partly because demand supports it. Who owns the venue matters less to you as a patient than who is actually treating you, but it still shows up on the invoice.
How to pay less
- Ask for the initial and follow-up fees up front, since some consultants roll a review into the first fee and others charge again for it.
- Check whether the clinic offers a fixed-price self-pay package that folds the consultation into the wider treatment cost rather than billing each stage separately.
- Use PHIN to compare consultants on fees and how often they do your procedure, rather than booking on price alone.
- See whether a private GP referral or a self-referral changes the fee, as some clinics discount when you arrive with notes and history already in hand.
- Only pay for tests the consultant actually needs. Turning up with recent NHS results can save you repeating a scan or blood tests you already have.
- Compare a consultant's own private clinic against a big hospital group for the same specialist, because the room and admin overheads differ and the fee often follows.
Common questions
Why is the consultant fee separate from the hospital cost?
Most private consultants are self-employed and bill for their own time, while the hospital bills separately for its facilities. So a single visit can generate two charges, one from the doctor and one from the venue. Fixed-price packages are the exception, because they bundle both into a single figure agreed in advance.
Do I need a referral for a private consultation?
Many clinics let you self-refer, but some consultants prefer a referral letter from a private GP or your NHS GP first. A referral also means the specialist already has your history, which can save time and stop tests being repeated unnecessarily.
Is the first appointment more expensive than follow-ups?
Usually yes. The initial consultation is longer and involves a full assessment, so it costs more than a shorter follow-up review. Always ask what a follow-up will cost before you commit to a course of visits, since the total can add up faster than the headline fee suggests.
Will I be charged extra if the consultant orders tests on the day?
Almost certainly, yes. Scans and blood tests are billed as separate items from the consultation fee, whether they happen in the same appointment or a later one. Ask what a likely test would cost before you agree to it, and mention any recent NHS results so they aren't repeated at your expense.
Can I switch from private consultation back to NHS treatment?
Yes. Paying for a private opinion does not commit you to private treatment afterwards. Many people use the consultation to get a faster diagnosis and plan, then take the letter back to their NHS GP to pursue NHS treatment from there.
Does a more expensive consultant mean better care?
Not automatically. Fees reflect specialty, location and demand as much as anything else, so a higher price is not a guarantee of a better outcome. Checking a consultant's experience and how often they treat your specific condition tells you more than the fee alone.