French and French Speaking Doctors in London

The NHS is broadly comparable to the French social security system but without upfront payment for consultations. There is a charge for prescriptions except for children under 16 and contraception.

 Private consultations, diagnostics, and treatments are paid for directly or through insurance. Most international insurance policies cover GP and specialist consultations, while UK policies usually cover specialist care only. So, it's important that you check your policy before making an appointment. 

Firstly, you will have to register with a local NHS GP surgery and they only usually accept patients within a certain catchment area. The main way to make an appointment is to contact the surgery online or by phoning them. Urgent health conditions are usually prioritised – however you may need to wait several days for an appointment if it is non-urgent, particularly if you want to see a specific GP. 

Private GP clinics are usually a lot more flexible. They usually offer same-day or next-day appointments, especially for urgent concerns. Unlike the NHS, you can choose your doctor and you can often see the same clinician every time, which ensures high quality continuity of care. Calls are usually answered promptly, and you will be offered an appointment at a time that suits you. 

Our team at La Clinique Française offer same-day appointments wherever possible, and you will have direct access to your doctor over text or email.  All our doctors work collaboratively, with access to your medical records, giving you peace of mind even if your regular GP isn't available for any reason. 

Private GP consultations are usually 30 minutes, allowing time for a thorough assessment and for your doctor to discuss multiple concerns and answer any questions. This also means that you can discuss long-term health goals and address any complex conditions, knowing you have plenty of time. 

NHS appointments are often 10–15 minutes long, which means less time for discussing several conditions within one appointment.  

With private healthcare, you can choose your GP or specialist and most international insurers allow you this flexibility. At La La Clinique Française this means that you can build a trusted relationship with a preferred doctor – they can get to know and understand your long-term health needs and create personalised care plans. 

In the NHS, you may be seen by a number of different GPs, depending on who is available at the time. 

In the NHS, children are usually cared for by their GPs, with referral to a paediatrician only when necessary. Routine paediatric check-ups are not standard, unlike in France. In the private sector you can consult a paediatrician without a GP referral. La Clinique Française offers experienced French paediatricians, including Consultant Paediatricians, who are experts in treating young babies and children. 

Fees at private healthcare clinics can vary widely, so it’s always a good idea to check beforehand, and make sure your clinic is financially transparent. Here at La Clinique Française, all our fees are published clearly on our website and our front of house team will always explain the cost of your treatment clearly before your appointment, so there are no hidden extras.

NHS care is free except for most prescriptions.

The French system is a hybrid of state funding and private insurers. Private patients usually pay up front and then reclaim costs themselves – from the state and their top-up insurer. It is up to the patient to claim the costs, which tend to be lower than in the UK, due to the government subsidy for fees.

In the UK, private healthcare is separate from the NHS, and there is no state reimbursement. Patients either pay the full costs up front or take out private medical insurance, to cover the services and treatment they wish to pay for.  

Private doctors will offer telephone or online consultations should you wish, at a time to suit you.

The NHS also offers telephone consultations; however there is less flexibility on timings. Telephone consultations may be with a doctor, or in some cases with a nurse or pharmacist if more appropriate.

You can see a private specialist of your choice directly if you are self-paying. If you are insured, please remember that some insurers require a GP referral, and make sure the specialist you wish to see is covered by your policy. 

NHS specialists are always based in hospitals, and you can only make an appointment after being referred by your GP.  Waiting times are often several months or longer. You can choose the hospital but not the specialist. 

Private GPs offer comprehensive sexual health care, including same-day blood tests, swabs,

smears, and rapid referral to specialists. NHS sexual health clinics, including family planning, offer free care with similar services, without the need for registration. However, you should be prepared to wait. Coils insertions and tests are usually carried out by nurses.

Private doctors in the UK are held to the same professional standards as NHS doctors. All French GPs are fully qualified medical doctors (MDs), registered and regulated to practise in the UK.

Your private consultation should be in a calm and comfortable environment designed to reduce stress and support your well-being. Standards vary and it is always a good idea to check any clinic online before you visit.

In our case, La Clinique Française is situated within a modern, multidisciplinary clinic in the heart of London. We have superbly equipped consulting rooms, state of the art facilities, and work to the highest professional standards. 

NHS clinics in London follow national professional guidelines, but are often busier and may feel more pressured.

A few private hospitals in central London accept walk-in emergencies. At La Clinique Française we usually see patients by appointment, but our doctors will usually be able to accommodate urgent requests.

In the NHS, you can access out of hours emergency care, by calling 111 or contacting the NHS 111 online service. You will be directed to the appropriate service – such as an emergency treatment centre, an out of hours GP or your nearest A&E department. Wait times can however be several hours. 

If you have a medical emergency – such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, or a major injury – you should call 999 immediately or go straight to your nearest NHS Accident & Emergency department.

You will have a private room with an ensuite bathroom in a private hospital. In an NHS hospital,

you will usually be on a shared ward often with a shared bathroom. Private hospitals tend to offer a more personalised service and have much higher staff to patient ratios.