Who can I see as a private GP?

Deciding who to see

When embarking on the journey to establish your private general practice, one of the first crucial steps is deciding the type of patients you wish to serve. Will your services be comprehensive, catering to a wide range of health concerns, or will you choose to concentrate on specific areas of healthcare?

Things to consider

There are several factors you might reflect on as you carve out your niche in the private healthcare landscape:

• Specialisation vs general health concerns: Do you want to offer broad consultations similar to NHS services, or focus on areas like menopause management, men's health, or dermatology?
• Additional services: Consider whether you'll offer services beyond what is traditionally available in general practice — for example, minor cosmetic procedures or specialised health assessments.
• Contractual and indemnity considerations: Ensure you're aware of any limitations within your contract or indemnity insurance concerning the patients and conditions you can manage.

Specialising

Specialisation can be particularly rewarding, as it sets your practice apart and can attract patients with specific needs. For instance, while some GPs continue to address health issues as they did within the NHS, others focus on niche areas such as women's or men's health. Your interest and expertise in particular conditions can guide this choice.

“I love the freedom that comes with private general practice which enables me to decide which patients I want to see.”

Private GP

Services outside of general practice

In private healthcare, there's flexibility to offer services that wind beyond the typical remit of NHS care. This might include minor cosmetic surgeries — a rapidly growing preference among patients of all ages seeking safe, medically-supervised environments for such procedures.

The demand for anti-ageing injections, for example, has seen an upswing, providing an opportunity to reach patient demographics that may otherwise not seek your services.

Indemnity cover

Whatever services you opt to provide, it is paramount to verify that your indemnity insurance offers adequate coverage. The scope of services dictates the level of protection necessary. For further insights, we provide resources on suitable indemnity requirements and options for private GPs.

Incorporating reliable systems such as EMIS Web can help ensure safe and efficient patient care. For billing, payment, and appointment scheduling, consider adopting a platform like Hero Health, expertly designed to integrate with EMIS and streamline operations in private practice.