In the five years to the end of 2025, the CQC received 1,238 new registrations for “independent consulting doctors” in England, compared with 396 in the previous five years – a 212% increase.
Between 2024 and 2025, new registrations rose by 58%.
Independent consulting doctors are individual clinicians who provide medical care privately, outside the NHS, either in person or online.
The category covers a wide range of specialities, from general practice to skin complaints, women’s health, and aesthetics.
Both the CQC and NHS England say there is no category that isolates private GP registrations.
For context, the Royal College of GPs says 6,229 NHS GP practices were active as of September 2025.
