GP vs Advanced Practitioner — Which Do I Need?
What is an Advanced Practitioner (AP)?
An Advanced Practitioner is a senior healthcare professional — typically a nurse, paramedic or allied health professional — who has completed advanced clinical training to Masters level. APs are qualified to independently assess, diagnose and treat patients across a wide range of conditions, and can prescribe medications, refer to specialists, and arrange investigations such as blood tests.
APs are not junior clinicians. In many NHS trusts and GP practices, APs manage entire clinics independently and handle the same presentations as GPs. At Tamar Health, our APs are highly experienced practitioners who are skilled at recognising when a situation requires escalation and at managing the full breadth of common acute and routine presentations.
What is a GP?
A General Practitioner (GP) is a qualified medical doctor who has completed a medical degree and a specialist GP training programme (typically 10 or more years of training in total). GPs are the traditional first point of contact in primary care and are trained to manage the full breadth of medical presentations, including complex multi-system conditions, specialist referrals and long-term condition management.
GP appointments at Tamar Health will be available soon. When available, they are recommended for complex presentations, multi-system concerns, and situations requiring consultant-level referral letters.
How do they compare?
| Advanced Practitioner (AP) | GP | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Masters-level advanced clinical training plus extensive clinical experience | Medical degree plus GP specialist training programme (10+ years) |
| Can diagnose? | ✓ Yes — independently | ✓ Yes — independently |
| Can prescribe? | ✓ Yes — independent prescriber | ✓ Yes — full prescribing |
| Can arrange blood tests? | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Can refer to specialists? | ✓ Yes, within scope | ✓ Yes — full referral capability |
| Best for | Acute illness, single-system concerns, routine queries, ear wax, blood tests, lifestyle review, most common presentations | Complex or multi-system presentations, second opinions, long-term condition management, complex referrals |
| Price at Tamar Health | From £40 | From £150 — coming soon |
| Availability | ✓ Available now | Coming soon |
Which appointment is right for you?
Use this guide to help you decide. If you’re still unsure, call our reception team and they’ll point you in the right direction.
Book an AP appointment if you have:
- A chest infection, cold, flu or respiratory illness
- A urine infection or UTI symptoms
- Ear pain, hearing loss or blocked ears
- A rash, skin infection or minor skin concern
- A sore throat, tonsillitis or mouth/throat problem
- A sprain, minor injury or wound concern
- A request for a blood test
- Ear wax you’d like removed
- A prescription request for a known condition
- A lifestyle concern — diet, exercise, weight, fatigue
- A well-woman or well-man health check
- A single, clear concern you want assessed
- Women’s health questions — contraception, thrush, cystitis
- A health screening or nutritional review
A GP appointment will be ideal for:
- Complex or long-standing medical conditions
- Multiple symptoms affecting different body systems
- A second opinion on an existing diagnosis or treatment
- Referral letters to hospital consultants
- Medication reviews across multiple conditions
- Unexplained symptoms that haven’t been investigated
- Management of diabetes, hypertension or heart disease
- Mental health concerns requiring detailed assessment
- Pre-surgical assessments
- Occupational health reports and medicals
GP appointments are coming soon at Tamar Health. In the meantime, our APs can manage the majority of presentations and will refer to a GP where needed.
What happens if my AP thinks I need a GP?
Our APs are highly experienced and know their clinical scope well. If your appointment raises a concern that would benefit from GP review, your AP will explain this clearly and help you take the next step — whether that’s a follow-up appointment when our GP service launches, a referral to a specialist, or guidance on the appropriate NHS pathway.
You will never be left without a clear plan. Our commitment to honest, thorough care means we will always tell you exactly what we found and what we recommend — even if that means pointing you elsewhere.
What is an AP appointment like?
An AP appointment at Tamar Health follows the same structure as a standard primary care consultation. Your clinician will take a full history, ask about your symptoms, examine you where appropriate, and explain their findings clearly. Where needed, they will prescribe medication, arrange blood tests, or provide a referral — all at the same appointment.
Our appointments are unhurried. We do not operate the 10-minute NHS model. You will have enough time to explain your concern fully and ask any questions you have. The appointment takes place at our clinic in Estover, Plymouth, with free parking on site.
How much does an AP appointment cost?
AP appointments at Tamar Health start from £40. The price is fixed and confirmed before you book — there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. Investigations such as blood tests are charged separately from £25. Prescriptions are private prescriptions and are paid for at the pharmacy, plus a small digital prescribing admin fee of £2 per prescription.
For a full breakdown of our service fees, see our Service Fees page.
Frequently asked questions
Is an AP as good as a GP?
For the majority of presentations — yes, absolutely. APs are highly trained, experienced clinicians who independently manage the full range of acute and common conditions. The difference lies in the training background, not the quality of care. An experienced AP will often resolve your concern just as effectively as a GP, at a more accessible price.
What does Advanced Practitioner mean?
An Advanced Practitioner (AP) is a senior clinician who has completed advanced-level post-registration training — typically to Masters level — enabling them to assess, diagnose, treat and prescribe independently. The NHS uses “Advanced Practitioner” as the umbrella term across all professional backgrounds (nursing, paramedicine, allied health). They are registered with a professional regulatory body such as the NMC or HCPC.
Can an AP prescribe antibiotics?
Yes. Our APs are independent prescribers and can prescribe antibiotics and other medications within their clinical scope where it is clinically appropriate to do so.
Can I request a GP appointment even though they aren’t available yet?
GP appointments are coming soon at Tamar Health. In the meantime, please book an AP appointment — our APs are able to manage the vast majority of presentations. If your concern specifically requires a GP, we will advise you on the most appropriate route at your consultation.
Do I need to be registered with Tamar Health?
No. You do not need to register with us to book an appointment. You remain registered with your NHS GP for ongoing NHS care. Tamar Health operates as an independent private clinic that anyone can access — you simply book and attend.
Will my NHS GP be informed of my appointment?
We recommend sharing a clinical summary with your NHS GP after each appointment for continuity of care. You can opt out of this if you prefer. We never share your information without your consent.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. You can book online via our booking page or call our reception team. Unlike NHS GP appointments, you will not face a weeks-long wait for a routine concern.
What is the difference between an AP and a nurse practitioner?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably but there is a distinction. A nurse practitioner typically refers to a registered nurse who has undertaken additional training to manage specific clinical presentations. An Advanced Practitioner has completed a further, more advanced level of training — typically to Masters level — and works at a higher level of clinical autonomy and complexity. At Tamar Health, our clinicians meet the Advanced Practice standards set by NHS England.
Can I see the same clinician each time?
We recommend letting our reception team know if you have a preference when booking. We will always do our best to accommodate continuity of care, though this cannot always be guaranteed depending on availability.
I’ve never seen a private clinician before — what should I expect?
A private appointment at Tamar Health is just like a primary care appointment — but with more time, faster access, and a clear, fixed price. You’ll be seen in a private consultation room by a qualified, registered clinician. The process is the same as an NHS GP appointment: you describe your concern, the clinician assesses you, and you leave with a clear plan. The only difference is there’s no weeks-long wait and no 10-minute clock.
Ready to book, or want to know more?
Our reception team is happy to help you decide which appointment is right for your concern — just give us a call or send a message via our Contact Us page. You can also find out more about our services:
Book an AP appointment today
Same-day and next-day appointments often available. From £40. No waiting lists, no referrals, no hidden fees.
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