Private GP appointments are becoming increasingly popular across the UK as people look for faster access to healthcare, longer consultations, and more personalised support. At MedAssistant in Glasgow, we offer both private GP consultations and advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) appointments, giving you flexible options for safe, evidence-based care.
What Is a Private GP Appointment?
A private GP appointment is a consultation with a fully qualified general practitioner outside the NHS. You pay a fee for your appointment, but in return you typically receive:
- Shorter waiting times
- Longer, unhurried consultations
- Flexible appointment types (face-to-face or telephone)
- Greater choice over when and how you are seen
At MedAssistant, our private GP appointments are designed to be calm, confidential and focused entirely on your concerns, without the time pressure often seen in busy NHS surgeries.
Benefits of Private GP Appointments
Choosing a private GP can offer several advantages:
- Rapid access: Same-day or short-notice appointments are often available, helping you avoid long NHS waiting lists.
- Longer appointment times: More time to discuss complex or multiple issues in a single visit.
- Continuity and choice: You can choose a service that suits your needs, including specific tests, referrals and follow up.
- Enhanced privacy: A discreet, modern clinic environment away from crowded waiting rooms.
- Holistic assessment: Time to explore your symptoms, lifestyle, and wider health goals in detail.
These benefits can be particularly valuable if you have ongoing health concerns, need detailed diagnostic work-up, or simply want more time to talk through your options.
Limitations and Considerations
Private GP care also has some important constraints:
- Cost: Appointments, tests and prescriptions are paid for privately; these are not covered by NHS funding.
- Not a replacement for emergency care: Urgent or life-threatening problems should still be managed via NHS 111, 999 or A&E.
- Shared care with the NHS: While private GPs can provide prescriptions, referrals and reports, some treatments and follow up may still need to occur within NHS services.
- Registration: A private GP appointment does not usually replace registration with an NHS GP; you should remain registered for ongoing NHS care.
The General Medical Council (GMC) provides guidance on good medical practice for all doctors, including those working in private settings. You can read more at the GMC website: https://www.gmc-uk.org.
Private GP vs NHS GP: What Is the Difference?
Both private and NHS GPs are fully qualified doctors, regulated by the GMC and required to follow the same professional standards. The key differences relate to access, funding and service design:
- Access and waiting times: NHS services are free at the point of use but often have longer waits; private appointments are paid for but usually available much sooner.
- Appointment length: NHS GPs frequently work within very short time slots; private GPs can offer longer consultations for more in-depth discussion.
- Scope of services: NHS GPs work within NHS pathways and resources; private GPs can often arrange rapid access to private blood tests, imaging and specialist referrals.
- Cost to the patient: NHS care is funded through taxation; private care is self-funded.
Importantly, both types of GP are held to the same professional standards under GMC guidance on patient safety, consent and prescribing.
Introducing Our Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Service
Alongside our private GP appointments, MedAssistant offers an Advanced Nurse Practitioner service in Glasgow (ANP-DRR). This provides rapid access to high quality clinical assessment, blood tests, ECG interpretation and medical imaging referral without long waits or the need to see a GP first.
Our ANP has over a decade of specialist education and postgraduate training at Masters level, with experience across Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Sexual Health and Primary Care. Advanced nurse practitioners are highly skilled clinicians who work autonomously within their scope of practice and are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You can learn more about ANP roles and professional standards on the NMC website: https://www.nmc.org.uk.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also provides detailed information on advanced level nursing practice and ANP competencies: https://www.rcn.org.uk.
What Can Our ANP Do?
Our ANP service is designed to offer GP-level assessment for many common presentations, with a strong focus on diagnostics and rapid answers. Based on our ANP-DRR service at MedAssistant, your ANP can:
- Take a detailed medical history and perform a focussed clinical examination
- Assess symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, infections, thyroid concerns, chest discomfort, back pain, muscle or joint problems
- Arrange and interpret a wide range of blood tests, including comprehensive “Well Person” screening
- Perform and interpret 12-lead ECGs, with additional cardiology review for extra reassurance
- Provide prescriptions when clinically appropriate as an independent prescriber
- Refer you for diagnostic imaging such as X-rays and MRI scans when indicated
- Provide clear safety netting advice and personalised management plans
Every consultation includes a clear explanation of findings, written information where appropriate, and advice on when and how to seek further help.
ANP vs GP: How Do They Work Together?
Advanced nurse practitioners and GPs are complementary rather than competing roles:
- Training background: GPs are medical doctors; ANPs are highly experienced registered nurses with advanced clinical training at Masters level.
- Regulation: GPs are regulated by the GMC; ANPs are regulated by the NMC and work within advanced practice frameworks supported by the RCN.
- Scope of practice: Both can assess, diagnose, prescribe and refer, but ANPs work within clearly defined clinical boundaries and local protocols.
- Team-based care: At MedAssistant, ANP assessments can be followed by GP review where needed, including reduced-cost GP follow up after ANP-led diagnostics.
This team-based approach means you can often be seen more quickly by an ANP, have your investigations arranged and interpreted, and then only see a GP if further medical input is required.
Choosing Between a Private GP and ANP Appointment at MedAssistant
You might choose a private GP appointment if:
- You have complex medical history and multiple long-term conditions to review
- You need a medical certificate, fit note or detailed medical report
- You prefer to discuss sensitive issues directly with a GP
You might choose an ANP appointment if:
- You want rapid assessment of new symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort or musculoskeletal pain
- You need blood tests, ECG or imaging referral arranged quickly
- You would value a structured health check with a strong diagnostic focus
If you are unsure which is right for you, our team can help you decide based on your symptoms and goals.
Professional Standards and Patient Safety
All clinicians at MedAssistant work within UK professional standards and regulatory frameworks:
- GMC (General Medical Council): Guidance on good medical practice for doctors – https://www.gmc-uk.org
- NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council): Code and standards for nurses, midwives and nursing associates – https://www.nmc.org.uk
- RCN (Royal College of Nursing): Advanced practice and ANP role guidance – https://www.rcn.org.uk
These organisations set the expectations for safe, effective and ethical care, ensuring that whether you see a GP or an ANP, your treatment is grounded in current professional standards.
Take Control of Your Health
Whether you choose a private GP consultation or an ANP appointment, MedAssistant offers fast, professional and patient-centred care in the heart of Glasgow. If you are ready to move past waiting lists and uncertainty, you can book online today and access the tests, answers and support you need.
To learn more about our ANP service, visit https://www.medassistant.co.uk/anp-glasgow. To book an appointment or explore our wider services, visit https://www.medassistant.co.uk or go directly to our booking page at https://www.medassistant.co.uk/book-now.