Private GP in Wimbledon: 15 Common Reasons to Book

I'm Dr Umer Malik, and I practise as a private GP at Mayfield Clinic in Wimbledon. One of the questions I'm asked most often, by patients and by people simply curious about how private general practice works, is what a private GP can actually help with. It's a fair question. Private general practice operates outside the NHS, and I think it helps to be clear about where it fits.

A private GP can be a useful first point of contact for many of the health concerns you would normally discuss with your NHS GP. You might be looking for advice about a new symptom, need a health check, want a second opinion, or simply need more time to talk through something that has been worrying you. At Mayfield Clinic Wimbledon, I can provide medical assessments, advice, prescriptions and referrals, and arrange investigations such as blood tests where they're appropriate. Face-to-face appointments are available at our Wimbledon Village clinic, with video and telephone consultations also on offer.

Here's how I'd break down the most common reasons patients choose to book a private GP appointment.

New Symptoms, Ongoing Concerns and Second Opinions

A large part of my work involves seeing patients who have developed a new or unexplained symptom, or who have an illness that isn't settling as expected. Depending on what's going on, this could include coughs and colds, infections, headaches, stomach or digestive problems, skin concerns, unexplained tiredness, pain or other new symptoms.

A GP consultation isn't simply about arriving at a diagnosis. I take a detailed history, perform an examination where appropriate, explain the possible causes of your symptoms and talk through what should happen next. You might book an appointment because:

you have developed a new or unexplained symptom, a cough, infection or other illness isn't improving, you have persistent pain or discomfort, you have a skin problem you'd like assessed, or you're concerned about a change in your health and want medical advice. If further investigation is appropriate, we can discuss options such as blood tests, other investigations or referral to a specialist.

I also see patients whose concern is ongoing rather than newly started. You might want an appointment to review an existing health condition, discuss persistent symptoms that haven't been fully explained, or check whether your current treatment is working as it should.

A private GP can also provide a second medical opinion. This can be useful if you've received a diagnosis, been advised to have a particular treatment, or simply want another GP to review your situation and help you understand your options. The aim isn't necessarily to give you a different answer. A proper second opinion involves reviewing your history and available information carefully, explaining what's known and what remains uncertain, and helping you decide what to do next.

This can be particularly useful if you have persistent or recurrent symptoms, an existing medical condition you'd like reviewed, questions about your current medication or treatment, a new diagnosis you'd like to discuss, or uncertainty about whether you need further investigation or specialist assessment.

Blood Tests, Prescriptions and Specialist Referrals

Where clinically appropriate, I can arrange investigations, prescribe medication or refer you to a specialist following a consultation.

Blood tests can be useful for investigating symptoms, monitoring existing conditions or assessing particular aspects of your health. At Mayfield Clinic Wimbledon, we offer access to more than 1,500 laboratory tests, including tests relating to general health, thyroid function, diabetes, cholesterol, vitamins, hormones, iron levels and a range of other conditions. Blood tests are charged separately from the GP consultation fee. If you're unsure which tests you need, a GP consultation is generally the better starting point. I'd rather assess your symptoms and decide which investigations are clinically appropriate than simply order a large panel of tests. You can read more about our blood testing service here.

Where medication is clinically appropriate, I can issue a private prescription following a consultation. Mayfield Clinic requires prescription medication to be issued only after an appropriate clinical assessment. A private prescription is different from an NHS one, and the cost of the medication is determined by the pharmacy dispensing it.

If you need further assessment, we can discuss whether a specialist referral makes sense. Mayfield Clinic has a network of private specialists and can arrange referrals following a clinical consultation. A private GP appointment can be a useful starting point when you're unsure whether you need further tests, treatment or specialist care.

Health Checks and Preventative Care

You don't have to be unwell to see a private GP. Some patients book an appointment because they want to take a more proactive approach to their health, particularly if they have concerns about family history, lifestyle or future health risks.

In these consultations, I discuss your personal and family medical history, lifestyle, and any symptoms or concerns you have, then decide whether examination, blood tests or other investigations would be appropriate. Mayfield Clinic Wimbledon also offers dedicated private health assessments and annual medicals for those who want a more comprehensive review of their health.

Private GP care can also be useful for specific areas of health, including men's health, such as concerns about sexual health, hormones or general wellbeing, women's health, including menstrual problems, contraception and other women's health concerns, children's health, where a GP can assess common childhood illnesses and advise whether further assessment is needed, and sexual health, including confidential consultations and appropriate STI testing.

The important point is that preventative healthcare should be personalised. More tests aren't necessarily better, and a GP can help work out which assessments are actually appropriate for you.

When Private GP Care in Wimbledon Might Be Particularly Useful

There are many reasons someone might choose private GP care. For some, it's about being able to arrange an appointment at a convenient time. For others, it's about having more time to discuss a complicated or worrying health concern. At Mayfield Clinic Wimbledon, standard GP consultations are 30 minutes, with face-to-face appointments available at our Wimbledon Village clinic. Video and telephone consultations are also available, and appointments can be booked online.

A private GP appointment may be useful if you have a new symptom you'd like assessed, persistent symptoms that need further discussion, an existing health condition you'd like reviewed, or you want a second opinion about a diagnosis or treatment. It's also relevant if you need blood tests and want medical advice about which are appropriate, need a prescription following a clinical assessment, or think you may need a specialist referral.

Other reasons include wanting a general health assessment or annual medical, having a specific men's or women's health concern, wanting your child's symptoms assessed, needing sexual health advice or testing, needing travel health advice or vaccinations, needing advice about an ongoing medication or treatment, wanting to discuss a health concern you've been putting off, or simply preferring a longer appointment with time to explain your concerns and discuss the options.

Private GP care can be used alongside your NHS GP rather than instead of it. Patients can use Mayfield Clinic's service alongside their existing NHS GP, and with consent, consultation information can be shared to support joined-up care.

What a Private GP Can and Cannot Do

Private GP care can be particularly useful when you want time, access and clarity, but it's important to understand what the service can and cannot provide. I can assess your problem, provide medical advice, arrange appropriate investigations, prescribe medication where clinically appropriate, and refer you for further care.

There are also some medical problems that a private GP service may not be able to manage, particularly emergencies or conditions requiring immediate hospital treatment. If you have a potentially life-threatening emergency, you should call 999. For urgent NHS medical advice when you're unsure what to do, NHS 111 can advise you on the appropriate service.

If any of the concerns above sound familiar, you're welcome to book an appointment with me at Mayfield Clinic Wimbledon, with face-to-face, video or telephone consultations available.