Private Paediatrician Cost UK 2026: Fees, When to See One & Private GP for Kids
Worried about your child’s health but facing a long NHS wait? A private paediatrician can often assess your child in days, not months. This 2026 guide covers what it costs (£200–£350 a consultation), when to see a paediatrician versus a private GP for children, what they help with, and how insurance or self-pay compares.
Quick Answer
A private paediatrician costs £200–£350 for an initial consultation in 2026 (London/complex up to £350–500+), with follow-ups £125–£180; tests are extra. You can usually be seen within ~7 days, versus NHS waits of 3–4 months (routine) or 6+ months (ADHD/autism). For everyday concerns, a private GP for children (from ~£49) is often the quicker, cheaper first step.
Paediatricians help with allergies, asthma, growth, sleep, behaviour, tummy problems, and ADHD/autism pathways, and refer on to child specialists. If your child needs ongoing appointments and tests, children’s or family health insurance can beat repeated self-pay. Full fees, when to go, GP vs paediatrician, and cover below.
On this page
Private Paediatrician Cost
This is what most parents want first. Fees vary by consultant and location, but typical 2026 UK ranges:
| Appointment | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £200–350 |
| London / complex / specialist | £350–500+ |
| Follow-up appointment | £125–180 |
| Private GP for children (alternative) | From ~£49–125 |
| Tests (bloods, allergy, imaging) | Extra — ask for a quote |
Two honest cost points: tests and treatment are normally extra, so ask for a full fee schedule including likely follow-ups; and a private prescription isn’t a free NHS child prescription — you pay the pharmacy’s retail price unless the paediatrician writes to your GP to take over prescribing. If you’d rather not face repeated self-pay costs for an ongoing issue, our children’s health insurance and family health insurance guides show how cover compares.
Private GP for Kids vs Paediatrician
A common question — and often the private GP is the right first step, quicker and cheaper than a paediatrician:
| Private GP for children | Private paediatrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From ~£49–125 | £200–350+ |
| Best for | Common illnesses, one-off concerns, quick advice | Complex, ongoing or specialist child-health issues |
| Access | Same-day; home visits in some areas | Usually within ~7 days |
| Refers on? | Yes — to a paediatrician or specialist | Yes — to child ENT, allergy, neurology etc. |
So: a private GP for common or urgent-feeling everyday problems (fevers, rashes, coughs, ear infections), and a paediatrician for complex, ongoing or developmental concerns (growth, behaviour, suspected ADHD/autism). Many private GPs will tell you which you need and refer accordingly — how private GP access works is in our private GP vs NHS GP and online GP guides.
What a Paediatrician Helps With
A paediatrician is a doctor specialising in the health, growth and development of babies, children and teenagers (newborn to 18). Private paediatricians commonly help with:
- Allergies, asthma & eczema — including allergy testing.
- Tummy, feeding & growth — reflux, constipation, weight and growth concerns.
- Sleep, headaches & behaviour — common ongoing worries.
- ADHD & autism pathways — where NHS waits are longest; see our ADHD assessment and autism assessment guides.
- Referrals & letters — to child ENT, allergy, neurology, endocrinology or gastroenterology, and letters for schools or insurers.
Parents are usually paying for speed, clarity and continuity — a longer appointment, the same consultant each time, and tests arranged quickly.
When to See One (& When It’s an Emergency)
A private paediatrician suits non-urgent, planned assessment — when you want faster answers, a longer appointment, or to skip a long NHS developmental wait. It’s a good route for a concern that’s been rumbling on, or where you want a second opinion.
Important — when it’s an emergency, not a booking
A private paediatrician is not for emergencies. If your child is seriously unwell, struggling to breathe, unusually drowsy or unresponsive, or has a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed, that’s an emergency — call 999 or go to A&E, or use NHS 111 for urgent advice. Don’t wait for a private appointment for anything urgent.
How Fast You’re Seen
Speed is the main draw. Private paediatric appointments are usually available within about a week, sometimes days — versus NHS community paediatric waits that often exceed 3–4 months for routine general paediatrics, and 6+ months for ADHD and autism assessments. You also get longer appointments, evening/weekend availability at some clinics, and continuity with the same consultant. This matters most for developmental and behavioural concerns, where the NHS wait is hardest. How private access compares generally is in our insurer reviews.
Insurance vs Self-Pay
Both routes work. Self-pay suits a one-off consultation or second opinion — you pay per appointment, no cover needed. Insurance suits an ongoing issue with multiple appointments, tests and follow-ups, where paying each time adds up. A colonoscopy-style rule applies: if your child is on a family or children’s policy and the consultation follows a GP referral for symptoms, it’s often covered (subject to outpatient limits, excess and pre-authorisation). What’s typically not covered: routine developmental checks with no medical concern, or pre-existing conditions — and ADHD/autism assessments are treated differently by insurers, so check your policy. If you’re weighing cover, our private healthcare without insurance guide compares the routes honestly.
How to Book
- Decide GP or paediatrician — common issue → private GP; complex/ongoing/developmental → paediatrician.
- Check referral rules — self-pay often allows self-referral; insurance usually needs a GP referral (see our GP referral guide).
- Choose a consultant — look for the GMC specialist register, CQC registration, and relevant expertise for your child’s concern.
- Confirm costs — ask for a full fee schedule including follow-ups and likely tests.
- Pre-authorise (if insured) — and check how the clinic shares information with your child’s NHS GP.
FAQs: Private Paediatrician UK (2026)
How much does a private paediatrician cost in the UK?
In 2026, an initial private paediatrician consultation in the UK typically costs around £200 to £350, with follow-up appointments usually £125 to £180. In London, or for longer or more specialist consultations, first appointments can run higher, roughly £350 to £500 or more. Any tests, such as blood tests, allergy testing or imaging, are normally charged on top of the consultation fee, and a private prescription means paying the retail price for the medicine, as it doesn’t become a free NHS child prescription automatically. Because fees vary between consultants and locations, it’s worth asking for a full fee schedule up front, including likely follow-ups and tests, so you understand the total cost rather than just the first appointment.
When should I see a private paediatrician for my child?
Parents often turn to a private paediatrician when they want faster answers than the NHS wait allows, or a longer, more thorough appointment. Common reasons include allergies, asthma, eczema, tummy and feeding problems, growth or weight concerns, sleep issues, headaches, behavioural questions, and assessment for conditions like ADHD or autism, where NHS waits can be very long. A private paediatrician can usually see your child within about a week, examine them properly, arrange tests quickly, and refer on to child specialists if needed. It’s important to say this is for non-urgent, planned assessment: if your child is seriously unwell, struggling to breathe, unresponsive or has a rash that doesn’t fade under pressure, that’s an emergency for NHS 111 or 999, not a private booking.
Can I see a private GP for my child instead of a paediatrician?
Yes, and for many everyday concerns a private GP is the right first step, often quicker and cheaper than a paediatrician. Private GP appointments for children are widely available, including same-day and even home visits in some areas, from around £49 to £125 depending on the service. A private GP can assess common childhood illnesses, prescribe where appropriate, and, importantly, refer your child on to a paediatrician or child specialist if the problem needs deeper expertise. So the sensible route often depends on the issue: a private GP for common or one-off problems, and a paediatrician for complex, ongoing, or specialist concerns like growth, development or suspected ADHD or autism. If you’re unsure, a private GP can help point you in the right direction.
Does health insurance cover a private paediatrician?
Often yes, if your child is covered on a family or children’s policy and the consultation follows a GP referral to investigate symptoms, subject to your outpatient limits and any excess. You’ll usually need pre-authorisation from your insurer and a referral first. What tends not to be covered is routine screening, developmental checks with no medical concern, or conditions classed as pre-existing. Assessments like ADHD or autism can be treated differently by insurers, so it’s worth checking your policy specifically. If you expect to need several appointments, tests and follow-ups for an ongoing issue, family or children’s health insurance can work out better value than repeated self-pay costs, so it’s worth comparing cover as well as one-off fees.
How quickly can my child see a private paediatrician?
Usually within about a week, and sometimes within a few days, which is the main reason families choose to go private. This compares with NHS community paediatric waits that often exceed three to four months for routine general paediatrics, and six months or more for behavioural and developmental assessments such as ADHD and autism. Private paediatricians also tend to offer longer appointments, evening and weekend slots, and continuity with the same consultant, which many parents value when dealing with an ongoing concern. To be clear, this speed is for planned, non-urgent assessment. A seriously unwell child needs urgent NHS care: call 111 for urgent advice, or 999 in an emergency, rather than waiting for any appointment.
Important Information
This 2026 guide is independent general information, not medical or financial advice — Going Private UK is not a healthcare provider or insurer. Prices are typical UK ranges, not quotes, and vary by consultant, location and your child’s needs; always get a full fee schedule. Check any paediatrician is on the GMC specialist register and the clinic is appropriately regulated (e.g. CQC in England). A private paediatrician is for planned, non-urgent care — if your child is seriously unwell, struggling to breathe, unresponsive, or has a rash that doesn’t fade under pressure, call 999 or go to A&E, or use NHS 111 for urgent advice. If you compare private health insurance quotes through this site, we may receive a commission from our FCA-regulated partners at no cost to you; this does not influence our guides.
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