Getting a timely NHS GP appointment in Plymouth is genuinely difficult for a lot of people. If you’re unwell and need to be seen this week rather than in three weeks, Tamar Health offers urgent private Advanced Practitioner appointments at our clinic. We’re a CQC registered clinic, so you’re being assessed by a qualified, regulated clinician, not just triaged.

Why Patients Come to Tamar Health for Urgent Appointments

The average wait for a routine NHS GP appointment in Plymouth can be two to four weeks. For something that’s getting worse, that’s a long time to sit with uncertainty. Tamar Health won’t always have an appointment available today, but we will typically have one available this week, and that’s a real difference when you’re unwell and need answers.

Our urgent appointments are carried out by Advanced Practitioners: senior clinicians with extensive experience in emergency and primary care. They can assess, diagnose, prescribe, and refer independently. For the vast majority of acute presentations, an AP appointment gives you everything you’d get from a GP, faster.

• Appointments typically within days, not weeks
• No referral needed, book directly online
• Face-to-face consultation at our clinic
• Prescriptions issued digitally to your chosen pharmacy
• Referral letters where clinically appropriate
• Happy to send a summary to your GP, with your agreement
• CQC registered clinic with regulated clinicians
• Free parking on site

What Is an Urgent Appointment?

An urgent appointment is suitable when symptoms have come on quickly, are getting worse, or are causing significant concern and you feel unable to wait for a routine appointment. These consultations focus on rapid clinical assessment, early treatment where appropriate, and clear safety netting so you know exactly what to watch for and when to seek further help.

Urgent appointments commonly cover:

• Sore throat, tonsillitis, or throat infections
• Urinary tract infections and urinary symptoms
• Fever, flu-like illness, or feeling acutely unwell
• Skin rashes, suspected infections, or cellulitis
• Infected or concerning wounds
• Chest infections, new cough, or mild breathlessness
• Ear pain, otitis externa, or suspected ear infection
• Sinus pain, sinusitis, or eye infections
• Abdominal pain that is mild to moderate and stable
• Headache or migraine
• Musculoskeletal pain, sprains, or soft tissue injuries
• Allergic reactions that are not severe

Not sure if your concern is right for an urgent appointment? Just give our reception team a call and they’ll be happy to advise.

How to Book an Urgent Appointment

1. Check availability online Book via our online booking system to see the next available urgent appointment slot. Slots are released as clinic days are confirmed, typically one to two weeks ahead. If you need to be seen at short notice and can’t see a slot that works, email hello@tamarhealth.com and let us know. Short-notice appointments don’t always make it onto the website in time, but we may still be able to fit you in.
2. Confirm your appointment You’ll receive a confirmation with clinic address, parking details, and what to bring. The consultation fee is £45, all-inclusive. The only other possible cost is blood tests, if your clinician recommends them.
3. Attend your appointment Please come to the clinic for your face-to-face appointment. Arrive a few minutes before your slot and bring valid photo ID, a passport, driving licence, or equivalent is accepted. We do need to see this at every visit.
4. Receive your treatment plan Your clinician will assess you, discuss findings, and provide a clear plan: a prescription, referral, or follow-up advice as appropriate. If it would help, we’re also happy to send a summary to your NHS GP, just let us know and we’ll only do this with your agreement.

Your Urgent Appointment

What Happens After My Appointment?

At the end of your appointment your clinician will give you a clear plan. That might be a prescription sent digitally to a pharmacy of your choice, a referral letter to a specialist, or simply clear advice on what to watch for and when to seek further help. You won’t leave without knowing exactly what the next step is.

We know some people would rather keep a private appointment private, and that’s completely fine. If you’d like us to send a summary to your registered NHS GP, so your records stay up to date, just let us know at the time of booking; we’ll only ever do this with your agreement.

If blood tests are needed during your appointment, we waive the usual £25 draw fee, so you only pay for the individual tests themselves. See our blood tests page for current prices.

How Does This Compare to NHS Options?

Using a private clinic for one appointment doesn’t affect your NHS registration or entitlements in any way. Private and NHS care run in parallel.

Serving Patients Across Plymouth and Beyond

Our clinic is easy to reach from across the region, with free on-site parking. We regularly see patients from Saltash, Liskeard, Tavistock, Torpoint, Ivybridge, Callington, Plympton, Plymstock, and the wider Devon and Cornwall area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I get an appointment?

We run clinics two to three days per week. In most cases you’ll be seen within the same week you book, though this depends on availability. We recommend booking as soon as possible rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve.

What if I need to be seen today?

If your condition is urgent and cannot wait, please contact NHS 111, attend an urgent treatment centre, or call 999 if your symptoms are serious. Tamar Health is not an emergency service and cannot guarantee same-day availability.

Is an Advanced Practitioner as qualified as a GP?

For the vast majority of acute and routine presentations, yes. Our Advanced Practitioners are senior registered clinicians with independent prescribing rights who can assess, diagnose, treat, and refer. They are registered with the NMC or HCPC and work within a CQC regulated clinic.

Will my NHS GP know I’ve been seen privately?

Only if you’d like them to. We know plenty of people would rather keep a private appointment private, and that’s completely fine. If you’d like a summary sent to your NHS GP, to help keep your records current and support continuity of care, just let us know at the time of booking; we’ll only ever send anything with your agreement.

Will I get a prescription if I need one?

If your clinician feels a prescription is appropriate, it’s issued immediately and sent digitally to a pharmacy of your choice. We don’t issue paper prescriptions. There’s a small £5 admin charge for issuing a prescription, on top of your consultation fee.

Do I need to bring anything?

Yes. Please bring valid photo ID to all appointments. A passport, driving licence, or equivalent is accepted. We require this for all patients at every visit.

What if I need blood tests?

Blood tests can be arranged at the same appointment if your clinician recommends them. We waive the usual £25 draw fee for blood tests booked as part of an urgent appointment, so you just pay for the individual tests. See our blood tests page for pricing.