More UK clinicians are moving into private practice than at any point in the last decade. With the NHS waiting list at 7.1 million and private demand rising fast, the private sector is no longer a niche — it's where a growing share of the profession is choosing to work. If you're weighing up the move, here's an honest guide to the trade-offs and how to find the right role.
Why so many clinicians are making the move
7.1m
On the NHS waiting list (2026)
3% → 13%
GP appointments now private, up from 3% in 2009
£18.6bn
Projected UK private healthcare market by 2033
It's rarely only about money. The clinicians we speak to cite shorter lists, more time per patient, autonomy over how they practise, better equipment, and clearer progression. The pull is professional as much as financial.
Private vs NHS: an honest comparison
| Factor | NHS | Private practice |
|---|---|---|
| Patient time | Tight, high volume | Longer appointments |
| Autonomy | Protocol-driven | More clinical freedom |
| Pay | Banded, predictable | Often higher, more variable |
| Security | High | Varies by contract |
| Structure & CPD | Built-in | You own more of it |
| Pension | NHS scheme | You arrange your own |
It's a genuine trade, not a clear upgrade. Private practice offers autonomy and often better pay, but you take on more responsibility for your own development, indemnity and pension. The right choice depends on what you value at this stage of your career.
What to check before you move
- Contract type — employed, self-employed, or an associate commission split (commonly 40–60% to the practitioner)
- Indemnity — who covers it, and to what limit
- CPD budget — £500–£2,000/year is healthy; below £500 is a red flag
- Clinical supervision — especially important if you're newly qualified
- Scope of practice — confirm what you're insured and registered to do
Verify your registration
On The Practice Standard, you can verify your professional registration (NMC, GDC, RCVS, GOC, HCPC) in under a minute. A verified badge helps you stand out to practices wary of unscreened applicants.
How to find private roles (the hard part)
The biggest frustration clinicians report isn't deciding to go private — it's finding the roles. Search a general job board and you'll wade through NHS listings; recruiters keep sending NHS positions even after you've said private only. Discipline-specific boards each cover just one profession.
The simplest route is a board built only for private practice. The Practice Standard lists private roles across every regulated discipline — and nothing NHS — so you see only what's relevant. It's always free for professionals.
Find private practice roles — free
Create a free account to browse and apply to private-practice roles across every discipline. Always free for professionals, no NHS noise. thepracticestandard.co.uk