Should I wait for the NHS or go private?

It depends on the expected wait for your specialty and how time-sensitive your situation is. Check the realistic NHS wait for your specialty first, then weigh it against the cost and speed of a private appointment. GeraClinic publishes a free directory of NHS waiting times by specialty from official England referral-to-treatment (RTT) data so you can compare with real numbers.

Where can I see NHS waiting times by specialty?

GeraClinic publishes a free, no-signup directory of NHS waiting times by specialty, built from official England RTT data. You can look up your specialty and see typical waits before deciding between the NHS and going private.

When does going private make the most sense?

Going private tends to make most sense when the expected NHS wait for your specialty is long and your need is time-sensitive — for example, when a delay would materially affect work, symptoms or peace of mind. If the expected wait is short or the need is not urgent, waiting on the NHS is often the better-value choice.

Is an online private consultation the same as going to a private hospital?

No. An online consultation on GeraClinic covers non-emergency telemedicine — advice, common conditions, follow-ups, prescriptions and care navigation. Some situations still need in-person examination or a hospital setting. Use the online route for what it's suited to, and escalate to in-person or emergency care when appropriate.

NHS Wait vs Going Private: How to Decide

Gera Services · Health decision guide · Updated 1 July 2026

Quick answer: the decision comes down to two things — the realistic wait for your specialty and how time-sensitive your situation is. Check the free NHS waiting times by specialty (official England RTT data) first. If the wait is long and your need is pressing, a private online consultation on GeraClinic may save meaningful time. If the wait is short or the need isn't urgent, staying on the NHS is often the better-value choice.

This page is general information, not medical advice. For anything urgent or life-threatening, contact your local emergency services.

The two options at a glance

	Wait for the NHS	Go private (online)
Cost	Free at point of use	Paid per consultation
Speed	Depends on the wait for your specialty	Usually faster to a first appointment
Best when	Wait is short or need isn't time-sensitive	Wait is long and need is time-sensitive
Suited to	Full NHS pathway, in-person care	Non-emergency telemedicine, advice, prescriptions, care navigation

Step 1 — Look up the real wait for your specialty

Don't decide on a general impression that "the NHS is slow" or "private is expensive". The only input that matters is the expected wait for your specialty. GeraClinic publishes a free directory of NHS waiting times by specialty, built from official England referral-to-treatment (RTT) data. Look up your specialty and read the typical wait.

Step 2 — Weigh the wait against your urgency

Long expected wait + time-sensitive need → a private online consultation may be worth the cost to be seen sooner.
Short expected wait, or a need that isn't urgent → waiting on the NHS is usually the better-value option.

You're now deciding with a real number rather than a gut feeling.

Step 3 — Match the route to the type of care

Online private care suits non-emergency needs: advice, common conditions, follow-ups, repeat prescriptions and care navigation. Some situations still need hands-on examination or a hospital setting — for those, the NHS pathway or in-person private care is the right route. Our guide on choosing an online doctor covers when telemedicine is appropriate in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I see NHS waiting times?

In the free GeraClinic NHS waiting-times directory, built from official England RTT data — no signup.

When does going private make most sense?

When the expected NHS wait for your specialty is long and your need is time-sensitive.

Is an online consultation the same as a private hospital?

No — it's non-emergency telemedicine. Escalate to in-person or emergency care when the situation calls for it.

Check the real wait for your specialty, then decide with data.

See NHS waiting times →