Doctors and GPs in the UK

In the UK, healthcare is simple by design. You start with a GP, who handles everyday concerns and refers you to a specialist if needed. Most services are covered by the NHS, but private care is also an option for those who want more flexibility. This article outlines how it works, how long you’ll wait, and what your options are, whether you’re going public or private.

Continue reading for the following information:

Overview of doctors in the UK

The UK has a universal healthcare system that covers nearly 99% of its residents, including expats. Unlike many other public healthcare systems, the National Health Service (NHS) is funded through taxation rather than health insurance. This ensures that everyone can access a broad range of medical services, including doctor visits and emergency care.

According to the British Medical Association (BMA), the UK has relatively few doctors compared to some of its EU neighbors. In 2022, there were 3.8 doctors per 1,000 residents (EU average in 2021: 4.1).

Somewhat appalingly, very few of these are general practitioners (GPs). In 2024, the UK had roughly 4.5 full-time GPs per 10,000 patients. Of course, the number of family doctors can vary a lot depending on the location. For example (GPs per 10,000 inhabitants):

• England – 4.4
• Wales – 4.2
• Scotland – 5.8
• Northern Ireland – 7.0

All doctors in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), which oversees licensing and ensures that doctors meet professional standards. It also maintains a public register where you can verify a doctor’s credentials and any possible fitness-to-practise history.

Family doctors or GPs in the UK

General practitioners are usually your first point of contact for most health concerns in the UK. If you’re registered with the NHS, you’re assigned to a GP practice based on your location. You can also request to register with a different practice if places are available.

NHS health centers – commonly known as doctors’ surgeries – are generally open from 08:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday, though opening hours may vary. Most clinics are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

GPs deal with routine health issues, carry out basic exams, and provide referrals to specialists when necessary. They also maintain your medical records and coordinate ongoing treatment or follow-up care.

Medical specialists in the UK

If you need more specific care, the next step is usually a medical specialist. From dermatologists to cardiologists, the UK has a wide network of specialists available in both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Specialists usually work in hospitals or private practices. Opening hours vary, but most operate from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, often with a break around lunchtime.

In the UK, patients need a GP referral to see a specialist, no matter if they are publicly or privately insured. Wait times for the NHS can be shockingly long; the best-case scenario is a few weeks, while the worst case is years.

For example:

• 9.7% of people in England wait more than a year to get treatment (January 2025)
• 61% of outpatients in Scotland wait 12+ weeks to see a doctor (September 2024)
• 33.2% of people in Wales wait more than 36 weeks for treatment (March 2023)
• 49.5% of patients in Northern Ireland wait 52–102 weeks (i.e., 12–24 months) for their first appointment (September 2023)

Who can see a doctor or GP in the UK?

Everyone can access medical care to some degree or another, including asylum seekers, refugees, and tourists. However, for non-urgent medical help, you have to pay large out-of-pocket costs or have health insurance coverage – either public, private, or both.

Our article on health insurance in the UK covers the topic (and costs!) in more detail, but basically, there are both public and private doctors. While they both work effortlessly to offer you quality care, the difference is in the insurance coverage and availability.

Like we said earlier, public NHS services are atrociously overburdened and understaffed, leading to long waiting times and more rushed exams. Private doctors, on the other hand, cost more but have shorter waiting times and offer longer, personalized visits.

How to find a doctor near me in the UK?

If you are in a life-threatening situation, go to the nearest hospital emergency room (Accident and Emergency department – A&E). You can also call 999, which is the main emergency number in the UK, or 111 for advice on what to do next.

If your situation is less immediate (and more you looking for information), you can find doctors listed on the GMC website. You can also check the NHS directory for GPs in:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

For private doctors and GPs in the UK, you can use an online search tool like PHIN.

If you need medical help outside of regular hours, you can simply call your own GP surgery; you will be redirected to where you can get help. Alternatively, you can download the NHS App, call 111, use the NHS 111 online service, or visit an urgent treatment center.

How to see a GP in the UK: step-by-step

Step 1: Register with your local doctor

In the UK, residents must first register with their local GP. You are free to choose any doctor you want, and you can switch physicians if need be. However, most people choose to stick with a GP near their home or close to their work.

You can register with a GP by calling or visiting the surgery in person. It’s worth noting that they don’t have to accept your request; some practices are full and are not taking on new patients.

Depending on where you live, you may have to call around to find someone who can take you on. This usually isn’t a problem in London, but in other cities and in more rural areas, there may be a shortage of GPs. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a few calls to find a family doctor.

Step 2: Book a doctor’s appointment

Although some GPs accept walk-in patients, most require you to schedule an appointment in advance. You can do so with a quick phone call to the doctor’s surgery or using an online service like GP at hand. Specialists don’t do walk-ins unless it’s for urgent medical situations.

Waiting times for GP appointments are reasonable; you can often get an appointment within a few days, or, at worst, within four weeks. If you want to skip the waiting list, you can also schedule a consultation with a private GP using a service like Bupa.

If you don’t show up for an appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, your doctor may charge you for the appointment.

Step 3: Visit the health center

When you go to the scheduled appointment, you have to let the receptionist know you are there. You can then take a seat in the waiting room.

It is not uncommon for you to wait beyond your scheduled appointment time. Consultations usually last only 10 minutes. Home visits are not common in the UK, but can be arranged if the general practitioner feels that it is necessary.

How much do doctor visits cost in the UK?

Healthcare is shockingly cheap in the UK. In the public system, doctor consultations and emergency care are free. This also applies when you are referred to a medical specialist (either by the GP or NHS 111).

If you don’t have insurance and you go to a private doctor, you can expect to pay £40–250 for GP consultations and £150–300 for medical specialists. You may face additional fees for lab work, imaging, and prescriptions.

Do I need health insurance in the UK?

No. Our article on medical insurance in the UK explains everything in full detail, but as a quick summary:

• Health coverage is a requirement of most entry visas
• Unlike private medical services, the NHS has ridiculously long waiting lines. In August 2023, The Guardian reported that more than 120,000 people die annually waiting for the NHS.
• Private health services are available and affordable with private insurance

There are plenty of private health insurers in the UK, and it’s worth shopping around to find the best deals. Aside from the home-grown health insurance providers, there are also international insurers who cater specifically to expats.

These providers are ideal for residents who travel outside the country a lot and anyone who prefers expat-focused care:

• Allianz Care
• Cigna Global

Overview of doctors’ services in the UK

Prescription medications

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe you medication, which you can pick up from any pharmacy (chemist) in the UK. To find one nearest to you, you can use any search engine or check the NHS website. This site also lists emergency out-of-hours pharmacies in your area. If you can’t go to the chemist in person, you can also order prescriptions online from a service like ZAVA.

When picking up a prescription, you may need to pay a fee, depending on the medication classification. Standard medication fees are £9.90 for each item (2025). Some people are exempt from paying these fees, including:

• Children under 15
• Full-time students up to 18
• Senior residents over 60
• People with low incomes
• Pregnant women and women who have given birth in the past 12 months
• Patients with cancer and certain other long-term conditions or disabilities

Expats will be interested to learn that some have accused NHS doctors of being too quick to prescribe drugs. For instance, in September 2021, the BBC reported that a government review had concluded that many patients were prescribed unnecessary treatments and that some were being harmed by over-prescription.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK advises that GPs only prescribe medicines when they are absolutely necessary. Patients should consider their own risk-benefit when taking medication.

Medical tests in the UK

When you register with a GP in the UK, you will likely be asked to take a health check. You’ll need to answer a series of questions about your general health and perhaps take a blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol test. Other checks may be made depending on your medical history and risk factors.

The NHS recommends that all patients undergo this type of health check every five years. If you are over 40, you will also receive an invitation from your general practitioner. They will schedule tests more regularly if you have more serious health issues.

In most cases, the doctor will deliver the result directly by phone call or in person. This also applies when the testing is done elsewhere in the UK.

How to complain about a doctor or GP in the UK

The UK has several ways to file an official complaint about a doctor or healthcare malfeasance.

For example, you can leave a strongly-worded comment on the online NHS review service. While your feedback may not improve your situation, it does make other patients aware of your dealings. You can also reach out to Citizens Advice or the Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) for advice and mediation services.

For an advocacy group, contact HealthWatch. You can also reach out to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) if you want your complaint to have more serious consequences. While there is no set time frame for an outcome, you should receive an acknowledgment of the receipt of your complaint within three working days. Once your complaint has been investigated, you will receive a written response.

The decision sets out the findings and the outcome of your complaint. It also contains information on how it was handled and how to take your complaint to the relevant ombudsman.

Reviewing your case can take several months. If you haven’t received a response or decision within six months, you should receive an update explaining the reason for the delay.

Useful resources

• NHS – official website of the national public healthcare service in the UK
• England NHS – official website of the NHS in England
• Scotland NHS – official website of the NHS in Scotland
• Wales NHS – official website of the NHS in Wales
• Northern Ireland NHS – official website of the NHS in Northern Ireland
• General Medical Council – official website of the regulatory body of doctors and GPs in the UK