Cost of Private GP Consultations
across the UK

# Private GP Consultations – Trade Body Accreditation

Private GP consultations in the UK are primarily regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC), which maintains the Medical Register of qualified doctors. Beyond this mandatory requirement, several trade bodies offer additional accreditation that signals higher standards and consumer protection. The Private Healthcare UK (PHUK) accreditation scheme is one of the most recognised, certifying private healthcare providers against stringent quality, safety and governance criteria. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also registers and inspects independent healthcare providers, including private GP services, assigning ratings from Outstanding to Inadequate. The British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) do not formally accredit private GP practices, but RCGP membership indicates that a doctor has met specialist training standards in general practice. When choosing a provider, it is worth understanding that GMC registration alone means a doctor is qualified to practise, but additional accreditation from PHUK or CQC registration demonstrates adherence to broader quality standards around patient safety, confidentiality, complaints handling and clinical governance.

To verify a provider's credentials, you should first check the GMC Medical Register on the GMC website, which is free and allows you to search any doctor's name, registration status and any recorded sanctions or fitness-to-practise findings. For CQC-regulated services, the CQC website provides inspection reports, ratings and detailed feedback about specific locations. You can also check whether a practice displays PHUK accreditation on its website or ask them directly for evidence of accreditation. Reading patient reviews on independent review platforms, combined with checking accreditation status, gives you a fuller picture of a provider's reputation and standards. This verification matters because it protects you against unqualified practitioners, identifies providers with good governance around data protection and medical record-keeping