A private gynaecologist consultation in the UK typically costs £180-£310 in 2026 — with central London clinics charging £250-£400 and regional cities like Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow typically £170-£280. Additional services: pelvic ultrasound £200-£350, hormone blood tests £120-£300, diagnostic hysteroscopy £1,200-£2,000, hysterectomy £8,000-£14,000. Many clinics offer “consultation + ultrasound” packages at £250-£450 in a single visit.

The best routes to find a private gynaecologist near you: Top Doctors (topdoctors.co.uk) and Doctify (doctify.com) both let you search consultants by location and specialism with patient reviews. Major UK private hospital groups — Spire, Nuffield, Circle, BMI/HCA — have gynaecology departments at most regional hospitals. Specialist women’s health clinics operate in most major UK cities, particularly London. Always verify GMC Specialist Register status (gmc-uk.org) before booking.

Most UK private gynaecology clinics have female consultants available — simply specify “female consultant” when booking. London has the broadest choice of female gynaecologists; major regional cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Bristol) all have multiple female options. Use Top Doctors and Doctify filters to find female consultants by location. Some clinics are specifically female-led — particularly in London. Always verify GMC Specialist Register status before booking.

For self-pay patients: No — most UK private gynaecology clinics accept self-referrals. You can book directly without a GP letter. For insurance patients: most UK PMI plans require a GP referral before authorising a private gynaecology consultation, though some plans (Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality) offer Direct Access for certain services bypassing GP referral. Check your specific plan terms or call your insurer.

Yes — most UK private medical insurance plans cover gynaecology consultations, diagnostic investigations (ultrasound, blood tests, biopsies, MRI), outpatient procedures (hysteroscopy, colposcopy) and inpatient surgery (hysterectomy, fibroid removal, endometriosis surgery). Typically excluded: routine smear tests (preventative care), fertility treatment (IVF), routine contraception, pregnancy and maternity care, and pre-existing conditions. See our best UK health insurance reviews.

Most UK private gynaecologists offer appointments within 1-7 days — significantly faster than NHS gynaecology which currently runs 12-30+ week routine waits. Same-day or next-day appointments are widely available, particularly in London and major cities. Diagnostic scans are typically available within 24-72 hours. Hysteroscopy waits are 1-3 weeks privately versus 4-12+ months on the NHS. Gynaecological surgery typically 3-6 weeks privately versus 9+ months NHS.

A private gynaecologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the female reproductive system, including: menstrual problems (heavy, painful, irregular periods), menopause and HRT management, fertility assessment, fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, post-menopausal bleeding, coil and implant fitting, smear tests and cervical screening, hysteroscopy, gynaecological surgery (hysterectomy, fibroid removal, endometriosis surgery), and gynaecological cancer screening. Many also offer obstetric care if dual-qualified.

London has dozens of leading private gynaecology clinics — there’s no single “best”, as the right choice depends on your specific need. For comprehensive women’s health, specialist clinics in Harley Street, Marylebone, Chelsea and Kensington offer some of the world’s leading consultants. Major hospitals with strong gynaecology departments include The Portland Hospital, The London Clinic, Cromwell Hospital, King Edward VII’s Hospital, The Lister Hospital, The Princess Grace Hospital. Use Top Doctors and Doctify to research consultants by sub-specialism and read patient reviews. Always verify GMC Specialist Register status.

Yes — UK private gynaecologists can prescribe HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and are often more accessible for HRT-experienced specialists than NHS GP-led menopause clinics. Private menopause assessment packages (£350-£650) typically include consultation, hormone testing and HRT plan. Note: private HRT prescriptions are dispensed privately at full pharmacy cost (£20-£40/month typically), whereas NHS HRT prescriptions cost £9.90 per item or are free if you have an HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (£19.80/year). Many women have private menopause consultation but then ask their NHS GP to take over the prescription. See our UK private menopause clinic guide.

Yes — most UK private gynaecologists offer cervical smear tests with liquid-based cytology and HPV testing, typically costing £100-£200 standalone or included in Wellwoman check packages. Note that UK NHS cervical screening is free for eligible women (aged 25-64; 25-49 every 3 years, 50-64 every 5 years) and clinically equivalent — many women have NHS smears for routine screening and use private gynaecology for symptomatic concerns or follow-up. UK PMI doesn’t typically cover routine smear tests (classified as preventative care).

Yes — UK private gynaecologists routinely fit IUS coils (Mirena, Kyleena, Jaydess), copper coils, and contraceptive implants. Coil fitting packages typically cost £250-£500 including consultation, device, fitting and follow-up check. Note: NHS coil fitting is free at GP surgeries and sexual health clinics — many women only choose private if NHS waits are long or they want a more comfortable experience. UK PMI doesn’t usually cover routine contraception (sometimes covered if the coil is for treatment of heavy bleeding rather than contraception).

Yes — UK private gynaecologists offer fertility assessment, pre-pregnancy planning and miscarriage investigation. Typical fertility assessment package: consultation + AMH + FSH + LH + pelvic ultrasound at £400-£900. However: actual fertility treatment (IVF, IUI, egg freezing, donor treatment) is typically NOT covered by UK private medical insurance and is paid for separately through specialist fertility clinics — typically £4,000-£8,000+ per IVF cycle. See our UK private fertility treatment guide for full context.

“Better” depends on what you need. Private gynaecology offers faster access (days vs months), longer consultations (30-45 min vs 10-15 min), choice of consultant (including female), and often combined consultation + scan in one visit. NHS gynaecology offers free care, comprehensive long-term management, NHS prescription pricing for HRT and medications, and excellent specialist sub-units (NHS endometriosis centres, fertility units, oncology). Most UK consultants work in both NHS and private practice — clinical quality is broadly equivalent. The advantages of private are about speed, time and choice, not necessarily better doctors.

A gynaecologist specialises in the female reproductive system outside pregnancy — periods, menopause, contraception, fertility, fibroids, endometriosis, gynaecological surgery. An obstetrician specialises in pregnancy and childbirth. Many UK consultants are dual-qualified as “Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist” covering both areas, but most focus their private practice on one or the other. If you need pregnancy care, ask specifically — see our UK private maternity care guide.

No — UK private gynaecology doesn’t typically work on a “patient list” model like NHS GP practices. You book each consultation independently. However, many women build a long-term relationship with their private gynaecologist over years and return to the same consultant for ongoing care. There’s no formal “registration” requirement — just book your next appointment when needed.

The two key checks: (1) GMC Specialist Register — search the consultant’s name at gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing. They should appear on the Specialist Register for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (not just the general GMC register). (2) RCOG membership — Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG or FRCOG). Sub-specialty interests can also be verified via specialty body memberships (British Menopause Society, British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, etc).

Indirectly, yes — a private gynaecologist can write to your NHS GP recommending NHS referral for surgery, and your GP can then make that NHS referral. Many women use private gynaecology for fast diagnosis, then transfer to NHS surgery (where insurance doesn’t cover the procedure or where NHS waits aren’t excessive). The private consultant’s letter typically speeds up NHS triage. Discuss this option with your private consultant if relevant.