A private gynaecologist typically charges £250–£350 for an initial consultation and £150–£250 for follow-ups, usually within days of referral. The NHS gynaecology median wait is 13.9 weeks, with 1 in 12 waiting over 41.3 weeks. Common onward tests include a pelvic ultrasound (£150–£350) and hysteroscopy (£1,500–£3,000).
- ✓Initial private gynaecology consultations typically cost £250–£350; follow-ups £150–£250.
- ✓NHS gynaecology median wait is 13.9 weeks; 1 in 12 wait over 41.3 weeks.
- ✓Pelvic ultrasound adds £150–£350; a hysteroscopy £1,500–£3,000.
What a private gynaecologist costs
A consultant gynaecologist typically charges £250–£350 for an initial consultation of 20–30 minutes and £150–£250 for follow-ups, with central London at the top of the range. As with most specialties, the consultation is the smaller part of the eventual bill — gynaecology commonly involves imaging or a look inside the uterus, and those are billed separately.
| Appointment or test | Typical private cost |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £250–£350 |
| Follow-up consultation | £150–£250 |
| Pelvic / transvaginal ultrasound | £150–£350 |
| Smear test (with consultation) | £150–£300 |
| Hysteroscopy (diagnostic, day case) | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Diagnostic laparoscopy | £3,000–£5,000 |
Why gynaecology waits push people private
Gynaecology has quietly become one of the longest routine waits in the NHS: the median is currently 13.9 weeks from referral to treatment, and 1 in 12 patients wait over 41.3 weeks — among the worst 1-in-12 figures of any specialty. Behind those numbers sit conditions like heavy or irregular bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids, prolapse and pelvic pain — problems that disrupt work, sleep and daily life for every week of the wait, and that historically have been under-prioritised.
Privately, a consultation is typically available within days, an ultrasound the same week, and a diagnostic procedure like a hysteroscopy within two to three weeks. For conditions like endometriosis — where NHS diagnosis famously takes years — that compression of the diagnostic phase is often the single biggest thing the money buys. Our endometriosis guide covers that pathway in detail.
Insured vs self-pay
With health insurance, gynaecology consultations and diagnostics sit under your outpatient benefit, and procedures — hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, fibroid treatment, hysterectomy — move to day-case or inpatient cover, which policies generally pay in full. Get authorisation before booking and the clinic bills the insurer directly; you pay only any excess.
| Insured | Self-pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation + ultrasound | £0 beyond any excess, within outpatient limits | £450–£650 |
| Hysteroscopy / laparoscopy | Covered under day-case benefit | £1,500–£5,000 |
| Major surgery (e.g. hysterectomy) | Covered under core inpatient benefit | £8,000–£12,000 |
| Watch for | Pre-existing exclusions — long-standing symptoms may not be covered on a new policy | Costs stepping up sharply if diagnostics lead to surgery |
Stop waiting on women's health
How to book — and what happens at the appointment
Start with a GP referral — insurers require one, and consultants prefer one. You can then book directly with a private hospital or clinic, or your insurer will shortlist recognised consultants. It's entirely reasonable to ask for a female consultant when booking, and to bring someone with you; a chaperone is always offered for examinations. If symptoms make examinations difficult, say so when booking — clinics can allow extra time, and a good consultant will pace the appointment around you rather than the clock.
- During: a full history — cycle, symptoms, pregnancies, medication — and, where relevant, an abdominal and pelvic examination. Nothing happens without your consent, and examinations can be declined or deferred.
- Scans: many clinics do a transvaginal ultrasound at the same visit or the same week, which answers most questions about fibroids, cysts and endometrial thickness.
- Next steps: reassurance, medication (often manageable by your NHS GP afterwards), or a procedure — with a written quote before anything is booked.
- After: a letter to you and your GP summarising findings and the plan.
- Preparation that helps: a note of your last period, cycle pattern and symptom dates, plus a list of current medication and contraception — the history does much of the diagnostic work in gynaecology, and dates you can't remember in the room are worth writing down beforehand.
Making the money go furthest
If you're self-paying, the highest-value purchase is usually the diagnostic phase: consultation plus ultrasound for £450–£650 converts months of uncertainty into a named problem and a plan, and you can take that diagnosis back to the NHS for treatment. If surgery looks likely and you're weighing self-pay, get fixed-price package quotes from two hospitals — prices vary meaningfully. And if you're buying insurance anyway, do it before symptoms start: gynaecological conditions you've already seen a GP about will be excluded as pre-existing on a new policy.
- Book 'see and scan' packages. Clinics that bundle the consultation and transvaginal ultrasound at a fixed price save both money and a second visit — and mean you leave the first appointment with answers, not another booking.
- Use video for follow-ups. Results discussions and medication reviews work well remotely and price at the lower end of the £150–£250 range.
- Move prescribing to your NHS GP. Hormonal treatments for heavy bleeding or endometriosis symptoms can usually be prescribed long-term by your GP at NHS charges once the specialist has set the plan.
- Check NHS Right to Choose. For some referrals you can choose any NHS-contracted provider — occasionally including private hospitals — at no cost; worth asking your GP before paying.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private gynaecologist cost in the UK?
Typically £250–£350 for an initial consultation and £150–£250 for follow-ups, with London at the top of the range. Tests are billed separately: a pelvic ultrasound runs £150–£350, and a consultation-plus-scan package typically lands around £450–£650 self-pay.
How long is the NHS wait to see a gynaecologist?
The NHS gynaecology median is currently 13.9 weeks from referral to treatment, and 1 in 12 patients wait over 41.3 weeks — among the longest 1-in-12 figures of any specialty. Privately, a consultation is typically available within days and an ultrasound the same week.
Do I need a GP referral to see a private gynaecologist?
Usually, yes. Insurers require a referral before authorising a claim, and most consultant gynaecologists prefer one for clinical context. Some private women's health clinics accept self-referral for services like scans and smear tests. A digital GP through your insurer can typically issue a referral within a day.
Can I ask for a female private gynaecologist?
Yes — when self-paying you choose your consultant, and insurers' recognised lists let you filter too, so requesting a female gynaecologist is straightforward and common. A chaperone is always offered for intimate examinations regardless, and you can bring someone with you to any appointment.
How much does a private pelvic ultrasound cost?
Typically £150–£350 for a pelvic or transvaginal scan, often available the same week — sometimes at the same visit as your consultation. It's the workhorse first test in gynaecology, answering most questions about fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometrial thickness before anything more invasive is considered.
How much does a private hysteroscopy cost?
Typically £1,500–£3,000 as a day-case diagnostic procedure, where a thin camera examines the inside of the uterus — commonly used to investigate heavy or postmenopausal bleeding. With health insurance it's generally covered under your day-case benefit rather than the outpatient limit.
Does health insurance cover private gynaecologist appointments?
Yes — consultations and scans sit under outpatient cover, and procedures from hysteroscopy to hysterectomy move to day-case or inpatient benefit, generally paid in full. Symptoms you've already consulted a GP about will be excluded as pre-existing on a new policy, and routine screening and fertility treatment aren't covered as standard.
What happens at a private gynaecology appointment?
A 20–30 minute consultation: full history of your cycle, symptoms and health, then — with your consent — an examination where relevant. Many clinics scan at the same visit. You leave with reassurance, a treatment plan or a procedure quote, and a letter goes to you and your GP.
Is seeing a gynaecologist privately worth it for heavy periods?
Often, yes. Heavy bleeding is one of the most common gynaecology referrals, and the 13.9-week NHS median means months of disrupted life while you wait. A private consultation and ultrasound for £450–£650 typically identifies the cause — fibroids, polyps or hormonal — within a week, and treatment can then happen privately or back on the NHS.