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, and it usually comes before any scan or treatment is even discussed. With NHS waiting lists at record levels, more people are paying for this first appointment just to get seen and get a plan. The important thing to grasp early is that the consultant's fee is separate from anything the hospital charges.
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.
- You can look up a consultant's fees and volumes through PHIN, the Private Healthcare Information Network, before you commit.
- Prices vary by specialty. A straightforward outpatient specialty tends to cost less than a complex surgical one.
- Seeing a consultant privately does not force you into private treatment. You can take their advice back to the NHS if you prefer.
What people actually paid
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 look so different. The consultant sets their own fee, which reflects their specialty, reputation and location, while the hospital or clinic charges 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. The specialty matters too, so an initial cardiology or orthopaedic opinion often costs more than a general one.
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.
- Check whether the clinic offers a fixed-price self-pay package that folds the consultation into the wider treatment cost.
- Use PHIN to compare consultants on fees and how often they do your procedure before 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.
- Only pay for tests the consultant actually needs. Turning up with recent NHS results can save you repeating a scan or blood tests.
- Compare a consultant's own private clinic against a big hospital group, because the room and admin overheads differ.
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 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.
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 has your history, which can save time and repeated tests.
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.