How is the NHS Funded?
May 7, 2026
How is the NHS funded? NHS funding is quite simple. We will now explain how the NHS is funded, the amount (and pattern over time) – and what it is spent on. The NHS is funded mainly from general...
The short answer is, yes, definitely. It’s fine to see a private GP if you want to and, if necessary, they will refer you to an NHS hospital consultant (or to see that consultant privately, if they do private work).
A private fully registered GP (general practitioner) can see you and provide ‘pre-referral’ services to assess your needs. Then, if necessary, they can refer you to the NHS for further diagnosis, tests, treatment or surgery.
As explained by the British Medical Association (BMA; one the doctors’ unions), guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says:
‘Patients who have chosen to pay privately for an element of their care are entitled to receive NHS diagnostic tests free of charge as long as they are eligible. A referral by a private GP for an NHS diagnostic test should not be any different from an NHS GP referral.’
Patients do not need permission from an NHS GP to go to a standalone private GP service.
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