AtWell is Balsall Common's private GP clinic — offering same-day appointments, 30-minute consultations, and a full range of healthcare services with no waiting lists and no referral needed. This guide explains what private GP care offers, how it differs from the NHS, and how to access it.

What is a private GP?

A private GP is a fully qualified, GMC-registered general practitioner who provides medical care outside the NHS system on a fee-per-appointment basis. Private GPs offer the same clinical expertise as NHS GPs — the same training, the same knowledge, the same ability to prescribe, refer, and manage complex conditions — in a fundamentally different service model.

That model is built around time, access, and continuity. Where an NHS GP appointment averages 10 minutes, a private GP appointment typically lasts 30 minutes or more. Where NHS waiting times can stretch to two or three weeks, a private GP can usually see you the same day. And where NHS practices often result in a different doctor at each visit, private GP clinics like AtWell offer continuity — you see the same doctor, who knows your history and builds a relationship with you over time.

Private GP care is not about opting out of the NHS. Most patients maintain their NHS registration and use private GP care for specific situations — when they need to be seen quickly, when they need more time, or when they want focused expertise for a particular condition.

Private GP vs NHS: what's the difference?

The NHS is an extraordinary institution, and its GPs are skilled and dedicated professionals working under enormous pressure. The issue is structural, not personal. Understanding the practical differences helps you decide when private GP care makes sense for you.

Waiting times

The average wait for a routine GP appointment in England is over two weeks. For urgent same-day slots, many practices operate a 8am phone queue that regularly runs out of appointments by 8:30. Private GP care at AtWell means same-day or next-day appointments, booked online or by phone, with no queue and no battle for slots.

Appointment length

NHS GP appointments are typically 10 minutes — barely enough time to address a single, straightforward concern. Our standard consultations last 30 minutes, and extended appointments of 45 minutes are available for complex or multiple concerns. The difference in what can be achieved in that time is profound.

Continuity of care

NHS practices are large and staff turnover is significant. Many patients see a different doctor at every appointment, meaning they repeat their history repeatedly and subtler patterns go unnoticed. AtWell patients have a named GP who knows their history, their preferences, and their goals — someone who is genuinely invested in their health over the long term.

Access to tests and referrals

Private GPs can arrange blood tests, ECGs, and other investigations rapidly — often within the same appointment or on the same day. Specialist referrals, when needed, can be arranged within 48 hours through the private healthcare pathway, bypassing NHS waiting lists that currently average 18 weeks or more.

Prescriptions

Private prescriptions are charged at the cost of the medication plus a dispensing fee, rather than the standard NHS prescription charge. For some medications, this is cheaper. For others, it is similar. Your GP will discuss options transparently.

Why choose a private GP in Balsall Common

Balsall Common is a growing village in the heart of the West Midlands, sitting between Solihull, Coventry, and Kenilworth. While well-served by its NHS infrastructure, many residents — like those across the UK — face the pressures of long waits, rushed appointments, and limited continuity.

AtWell was established in Balsall Common precisely to serve this community: a local, trusted clinic within easy reach, offering the kind of unhurried, attentive medicine that used to define general practice. Our patients come from across the local area — Balsall Common, Solihull, Knowle, Dorridge, Hampton in Arden, Kenilworth, Coventry — and many simply value the convenience of a high-quality clinic within minutes of home.

Being local matters in ways that go beyond geography. AtWell's GPs understand the local community, the local NHS pathways, the local specialists, and the practical realities of healthcare in this part of the West Midlands. We are not a faceless corporate chain.

"Having a private GP I can actually get to see — someone who knows me and doesn't rush me — has completely changed how I feel about my health. I stop worrying and start taking action."
— Tom P., Knowle

Same-day appointments

AtWell offers same-day GP appointments for all types of concerns — from acute illness and injury to ongoing conditions that need review, to new symptoms you want assessed promptly. You book online or by phone, choose your preferred time, and see a doctor that day.

Same-day access matters for several reasons. Symptoms can progress, anxiety builds while waiting, and decisions — about whether to go to A&E, whether to start a medication, whether to worry — often need to be made quickly. A private GP gives you access to clinical judgement when you actually need it, rather than when a slot eventually becomes available.

We also offer same-day access for non-urgent matters. You do not need to have a crisis to book. A health check, a repeat prescription review, a conversation about a concern you have been carrying for months — all of these are entirely valid reasons to book, and none of them require waiting.

What happens in a 30-minute consultation

The structure of an AtWell consultation is simple but unhurried. In 30 minutes, your GP will:

Listen to your concerns fully, without interruption, without watching the clock
Take a thorough medical history — symptoms, timeline, relevant background
Examine you where clinically appropriate
Explain their assessment clearly, in plain language
Discuss options — investigations, treatments, referrals — and make decisions together with you
Arrange any same-day blood tests, ECGs, or other investigations if needed
Issue prescriptions or referral letters if appropriate
Agree a follow-up plan

You will leave with a clear understanding of what was found, what is being done, and what to expect next. Not just a piece of paper with a prescription on it.

For complex or multiple concerns, 45-minute extended appointments are available. If you have been carrying several health worries and want to address them in one go, an extended appointment is a worthwhile investment.

Services available at AtWell

AtWell offers a comprehensive range of private GP services from our Balsall Common clinic. You do not need to see multiple specialists at multiple locations — the majority of your healthcare needs can be managed in one place, by a GP who knows you.

General practice

Same-day and next-day GP consultations for all ages
Acute illness and injury assessment
Ongoing condition management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc.)
Prescription review and repeat prescriptions
Travel health and vaccinations
Sick notes and medical certificates
Second opinions

Health screening

Executive health check and annual MOT packages
Cardiovascular risk assessment
Diabetes screening
Cancer risk assessment
Well Man and Well Woman checks

Blood tests

Same-day blood draw and rapid laboratory processing
Full blood count, metabolic panel, lipid profile
Thyroid function, HbA1c, vitamin and mineral levels
Hormone panels (male and female)
Results reviewed by your GP with a follow-up call or appointment

Women's health

Menopause and perimenopause dedicated care
HRT prescribing and management
Contraception advice and prescribing
PCOS, endometriosis, and PMS/PMDD management
Cervical screening (smear tests)
Sexual health

Men's health

Prostate health assessment and PSA testing
Testosterone testing and TRT management
Cardiovascular screening
Sexual health and erectile dysfunction
Mental health support

Mental health

Assessment and management of anxiety and depression
Stress and burnout support
ADHD assessments and management
Referral to specialists and therapists

Visit our full services page for a complete list of what we offer.

How it works

AtWell is designed to be as simple and stress-free as possible. There is no complicated registration process, no need to transfer from your NHS GP, and no waiting lists.

Book online or by phone. Choose your preferred date, time, and appointment type on our website, or call to speak with our reception team. Same-day slots are available Monday to Friday.
Complete a brief intake form. Before your appointment, you will receive a short questionnaire to let your GP prepare. This means your consultation time is spent on you — not on basic admin.
Attend your appointment. Arrive at our Balsall Common clinic, where you will be seen on time. Parking is available. There is no waiting room queue.
Leave with a plan. Prescriptions, blood test requests, referral letters, and follow-up notes are all available same-day. You will receive a written summary of your consultation.
Follow-up as needed. Follow-up appointments are discounted. We also offer a complimentary 10-minute follow-up call within 48 hours for patients who have started a new treatment or undergone tests.

You do not need to de-register from your NHS GP. Most of our patients keep their NHS practice for NHS-funded services and use AtWell for private care alongside it. We are happy to communicate with your NHS GP with your consent to ensure coordinated care.

Pricing

AtWell is committed to transparent, upfront pricing. You will always know the cost before you book, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.

Standard GP consultation (30 minutes): from £110
Extended consultation (45 minutes): from £140
Follow-up appointment: from £95
Blood tests: priced individually; see our services page for details
Health screening packages: from £X — contact us for current package pricing

For exact and up-to-date pricing, including our health screening packages and dedicated clinic costs, please contact us directly or visit our FAQ page. We are always happy to discuss costs before you commit to anything.

We are recognised by Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, Vitality, and WPA for physiotherapy services. All GP and medical services are self-pay with clear, upfront pricing.

Areas we serve

AtWell's Balsall Common clinic is conveniently located for patients across a wide area of the West Midlands and North Warwickshire. We regularly see patients from:

Balsall Common — our home village, where the majority of our patients live
Solihull — a 15-minute drive, with easy access via the A452
Knowle — just minutes away, with many patients making us their regular private GP
Dorridge — a short drive from the clinic, directly accessible via Dorridge Road
Hampton in Arden — a short distance to the north, easily reached by car
Kenilworth — just across the Warwickshire border, a 10-minute drive
Coventry — well connected via the A452 and A45, with many patients making the short journey for dedicated care

If you are outside these areas and wondering whether AtWell is accessible for you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have patients travelling from across the West Midlands who find the quality of care worth the journey.

How to book

Booking an appointment at AtWell takes under two minutes. You can book:

Online: Use our booking system to choose your appointment type, date, and time instantly. Book a same-day appointment here.
By phone: Call our reception team during clinic hours. We aim to answer within three rings.
Online enquiry: Use our contact form if you have questions before booking, or want to discuss which appointment type is right for you.

No referral is needed. You do not need to be an existing patient. You do not need to have a specific symptom or crisis. AtWell is here for anyone who wants thoughtful, unhurried, professional GP care — when they need it, in a place they trust.

"I moved to Balsall Common two years ago and couldn't get registered with a local NHS practice. AtWell has been brilliant — same-day appointments, a doctor I actually know, and proper time to talk. I can't imagine going back."
— Sarah K., Balsall Common

Private GP in Balsall Common: what to expect, how it works, and how to book