Many patients who want either a quicker service or more prolonged treatment than can be provided by the NHS turn to private community services which include physiotherapy and podiatry. More information can be found under

• Private physiotherapy
• Private podiatry

You can contact such services directly yourself. We do not make specific recommendations on local private services.

If you want to find a Non-NHS therapist, Mind have produced very helpful guidance on options beyond the usual NHS options

• How to find a therapist – Mind

This includes private therapists and other non-NHS options including therapists at your place of work or education, and also charity and third sector therapists.

You do not normally need any GP referral to access private counselling. The one exception may be if an insurance company insists on this, but this is now unusual as it delays your appointment.

Some treatments may not be funded on the NHS. The reasons for this and how to find the treatments which may not be treated see under

• Conditions which may not be funded on the NHS

If funding, and thus NHS care, is likely to be rejected some patients will chose to go privately. There is more information on some private care under

• Minor surgery
• Cosmetic surgery

Contact details

Some local private hospitals contact details can be found under

• Local Contact Details and Service Finder

Private care can be a complex world to understand. Some of the questions commonly asked of GPs about private hospital based medical care are included under

• Principles and support from private medical care

This includes answers to the questions

• Do you need a referral for private treatment?
• Can you have some of your private care covered on the NHS in the short run?
• Can you have some of your private care covered on the NHS in the long run?
• Can you swap between the NHS and private care?