Can I work as a private GP and in the NHS as a GP?

Benefits of private practice and NHS

Working as a GP is a very rewarding job whether you decide to practice privately, with the NHS or a mixture of both. There are different benefits which need to be considered:

Combining private practice and the NHS

If you are just starting out in private practise or aren’t wanting to fully commit to just private work, having a balance is a great way to build your private patient list while still having regular income and patients from the NHS.

With the current NHS waiting lists, many GP are also choosing to continue to give their time to the NHS to help to reduce these wait lists and give NHS patients the care they need.

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Transparency

You should declare to your NHS organisation that you are also carrying out some private practice. It is fine to work for both, but it is important to be transparent to your employer and they may want to know the type of private work you will be doing and the hours you intend to work so you can meet your commitments of both roles.

Restrictions

It is important to remember that you can’t advertise your private work to any patients during NHS working time or on NHS funded property unless you have prior agreements in place.

Your public sector work should take priority over private work and you should not try to convince your NHS patients to use your private service instead.

You will also need different indemnity cover to practice as a private GP, so make sure you speak to your insurers before doing any private work to make sure you have sufficient cover.