Private GP or Advanced Clinical Practitioner: Which Do You Need?
Short answer: an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) is a senior, highly trained clinician who can assess you, explain your test results, diagnose many everyday problems and, if they are an independent prescriber, prescribe medicine. For a lot of the reasons people look for a private GP appointment, an ACP is a quicker and more affordable option. An ACP is not a doctor, and for some problems a GP or specialist is still the right person to see.
What is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?
An ACP is an experienced registered health professional, often a nurse, paramedic or pharmacist, who has completed advanced training to Master's level. In England this follows the national multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice. ACPs take a full history, examine, order and interpret tests, make a diagnosis and plan treatment. Many are qualified independent prescribers.
You may already have seen one without realising: ACPs work in many NHS GP surgeries, urgent treatment centres and A&E departments, often handling same-day appointments alongside GPs.
What can an ACP help with?
Going through your blood test results and explaining what they mean for you
Tiredness and low energy, including low iron, vitamin D and thyroid questions
Perimenopause and menopause symptoms
Men's health, including symptoms of low testosterone
Heart and diabetes risk, such as cholesterol and HbA1c results
Prescribing treatment when it is clinically appropriate, and advising on follow-up tests
When to see a GP or specialist instead
Complex long-term conditions that need ongoing NHS management
Referrals into NHS hospital services, which usually go through your NHS GP
Problems that need a specialist doctor's opinion
Emergencies: call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, call NHS 111.
A good clinician will tell you plainly if your problem needs a GP or a specialist, and explain the next step.
Private GP vs ACP: cost and access
Private GP appointments in the UK range widely, from around £40 for a short online consultation to £100 to £250 for a face-to-face appointment in a clinic. Prescriptions and letters are often charged on top.
At Easy Medical Centre you speak with our Advanced Clinical Practitioner, an independent prescriber, for £50 (15 minutes by phone) or £70 (30 minutes by phone or face to face in Crewe). A prescription is included in the price if the clinician decides it is right for you; medication is charged separately. No GP referral is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner a doctor?
No. An ACP is a registered health professional with advanced, Master's-level clinical training. They are not medical doctors, but they assess, diagnose and treat many of the same everyday problems.
Can an ACP prescribe medicine?
Yes, if they are qualified as an independent prescriber. Our clinician is an NMC-registered independent prescriber.
Can I get my blood test results explained without seeing a GP?
Yes. You can book a results consultation directly, whether your test was with us or elsewhere. Have your report ready for the call.
Will my NHS GP be told?
Only if you want them to be. We can share a summary with your GP with your consent.
Related reading
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. If you are worried about your health, speak to a clinician. In an emergency call 999.
