Starting in private practice? Here's what to sort before your first patient.

There's a lot to set up, and nobody hands you a checklist. Here is one, in the order that matters.

Is this you? Tap any that are true.

Most people reading this tick at least one.

It only takes one to cost you.

steps: 6; steps
to start: 1 week; to start

What good looks like

Where you stand, before and after

Mr Sam Patel, Consultant Orthopaedic surgery

Privileges at Example · recognised by Example
Online, fees published, GPs told · first clinics booked

Book onlineFeesCall

Illustrative sample, not a real person or result.

Six things to set up, in order

Allow two to four months from starting your setup to seeing your first insured patient. Insurer recognition often takes 6 to 12 weeks and practising privileges 4 to 8 weeks, and both vary by insurer and hospital. Apply for both as early as you can, and don't treat insured patients until each insurer confirms you're recognised.

1. Indemnity cover for private work
Your cover must include the work you intend to do privately.
- Tell your indemnity provider your scope of private work and expected activity.
- Obtain written confirmation of cover before treating patients.
Typical time: Allow about a week to arrange
2. Practising privileges at your hospital(s)
You need approval from each hospital where you will practise.
- Ask each hospital for its application and document checklist.
- Supply registration, indemnity, appraisal and scope-of-practice documents.
- Apply early and wait for approval.
Typical time: Allow 4 to 8 weeks, varying by hospital
3. Insurer recognition
Patients need their insurer to recognise you before insured treatment.
- Apply early to Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and other relevant insurers.
- Check each insurer's terms, fee schedules and required documents.
- Do not treat insured patients until that insurer confirms recognition.
Typical time: Plan for 6 to 12 weeks, varying by insurer
4. Billing set-up
A clear process helps you invoice correctly and get paid.
- Agree insurer billing codes and set up Healthcode where needed.
- Prepare invoices, payment links and payment terms.
- Decide who handles claims, shortfalls and overdue invoices.
Typical time: Allow 1 to 2 weeks
5. Registrations and admin
Your business and regulatory arrangements need to fit how you practise.
- Check ICO registration and whether CQC registration applies.
- Choose company or sole-trader arrangements with an accountant.
- Open the appropriate bank account and set up records and bookkeeping.
Typical time: Allow 2 to 4 weeks; regulatory applications may take longer
6. Fees and being found
Patients need to know what you offer, what it costs and how to book.
- Set and publish consultation and procedure fees on PHIN.
- Create or update your Google Business Profile and directory profiles.
- Prepare a simple website with fees, locations and booking details.
Typical time: Allow 1 to 2 weeks initially

Planning ranges, not promised insurer turnaround times. Sources: Bupa consultant recognition · BMA private practice.

Free personal check

Done by Paul Robinson, not software

I'll show you what to do first and what can wait as you set up

What I need from you

Your specialty
Where you plan to practise
Answers to eight tap questions

What you get

Your setup steps in the right order
The slow items to start this week
Which jobs a supplier could take off you

Within 2 working days

No sign-in, no sales call. I read every request myself and reply on WhatsApp.

Every supplier I know who solves this. No one pays to be listed. Where I've worked with them, I say so.

Granite PMS
Practice management software
Practice management software for private consultants and clinics.
Built for private consultants and small clinics; worth a demo if you want diary and billing in one system.
Best for: Private consultants and small clinics
Price on request
Former client
Semble
Practice management software
Practice management and patient records software for private clinics and consultants, covering scheduling, notes, telehealth and payments.
Bookings, notes, invoicing, online payments and a patient portal in one system for clinics and consultants.
Best for: Private consultants, clinics and clinic groups
Price on request
No commercial relationship

Know a supplier I have missed? Tell me Suggest yourself

The infrastructure required to run a private practice, indemnity, billing, practice management, referral relationships, digital presence, and pricing, is not taught in medical training. Most consultants either delay the transition or start without the right foundations.

The core issue stems from a significant gap in medical training, which traditionally focuses on clinical skills rather than the intricate business and operational aspects of running a private practice.
This leads to a lack of understanding regarding legal compliance (e.g., CQC registration), financial management (billing, accounting), marketing, and patient relationship management.
Consultants often underestimate the complexity and time commitment required for effective practice administration, leading to reactive rather than proactive setup.

No verified UK data available

Inefficient patient scheduling and appointment management, leading to increased administrative burden and potential patient dissatisfaction
Suboptimal utilisation of clinic resources and theatre time impacting profitability
Reduced revenue generation due to unoptimised billing, high claims rejection rates, and poor debt recovery
Increased operational costs from rectifying initial setup errors or outsourcing tasks inefficiently
Negative patient reviews and word-of-mouth due to poor administrative experience
Damage to professional standing from CQC non-compliance or unresolved patient complaints

What it looks like in practice

Consultants delaying their entry into private practice due to feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks
Inconsistent patient booking and scheduling, leading to suboptimal clinic utilisation and patient dissatisfaction
Cash flow problems due to inefficient billing processes, high denial rates, or uncollected patient fees
Lack of clear marketing strategy, resulting in limited patient referrals and slow practice growth

Paul Robinson

14 years in UK private healthcare

I solve this one for consultants

Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.

A few quick questions, about two minutes. I read every one myself and usually reply the same day.

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I reply personally, usually the same day.

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Where you stand, before and after

Six things to set up, in order

1. Indemnity cover for private work

2. Practising privileges at your hospital(s)

3. Insurer recognition

4. Billing set-up

5. Registrations and admin

6. Fees and being found

I'll show you what to do first and what can wait as you set up

What I need from you

What you get

Suppliers who solve this2 suppliers. No one pays to be listed

Why this keeps happening

What it leads to

Evidence

Want a hand? I'll look at your situation and tell you the three things I'd tackle first.

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