How to choose a private health check in London — what Well Man and Well Woman screening actually includes, which blood tests matter (PSA, lipid profile, HbA1c) and how it compares to a standard GP consultation.
Private health checks in London range from a fifteen-minute review with a set of finger-prick bloods to a full-day executive screen with imaging and cardiology input. The choice can be overwhelming, and the marketing does not always make it easier. This guide is a plain-language walk-through of what a good private health check actually involves, how it differs from a standard GP consultation, and how to decide which level of screening is right for you.
It is written from the perspective of a private GP in central London who does this work every week. It is not a sales pitch for any particular package, and it is not medical advice for your specific situation. It is the kind of orientation I try to give patients before they choose.
What a private health check is actually for
A private health check has one core job: to give you a considered snapshot of your current health, identify risk factors early, and produce a clear plan of what to do next. Done well, it is not about generating a long list of numbers — it is about interpreting those numbers in the context of your history, your family, and your lifestyle, and translating them into decisions you can act on.
The value comes from the consultation around the tests, not the tests themselves. A cholesterol result or an HbA1c only means something in context. That is why I would always steer patients away from any 'health check' that is essentially a blood panel emailed back to them with no clinician conversation.
Standard GP consultation vs Well Man / Well Woman check
A standard private GP consultation is problem-focused. You come in with a symptom or a specific concern, we assess it, and we agree a plan — investigations, treatment, referral, or reassurance. It is the right choice when there is something specific to address.
A Well Man or Well Woman health check is different. It is a proactive, structured review with no single presenting complaint. The purpose is to look for early warning signs of the conditions most likely to affect long-term health — cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, hormonal or thyroid issues, and cancers where early detection changes outcomes — and to build a personalised prevention plan.
In my practice, a Well Man / Well Woman Health Check is a 45–60 minute appointment that includes a full clinical examination, a bespoke blood panel, and a written report with follow-up. It sits alongside — not in place of — the ongoing relationship you have with a GP.
The blood tests that actually matter
Blood panels vary widely between providers. Rather than the biggest possible panel, the right approach is the tests that are relevant to your age, sex, family history and risk profile. The core panel I use for most adults includes:
- Full lipid profile — total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol. Central to cardiovascular risk assessment.
- HbA1c — average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months, screening for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
- Fasting glucose where indicated.
- Kidney function — urea, creatinine, eGFR.
- Liver function — ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin.
- Thyroid function — TSH, with free T4 and free T3 where clinically indicated.
- Full blood count — anaemia, infection, blood cell abnormalities.
- Vitamin D and vitamin B12 / folate where deficiency is likely.
- Ferritin — particularly relevant for tiredness, hair loss, or menstruating women.
For men, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test is offered after a discussion of what it can and cannot tell us. PSA is a useful screening tool but has real limitations, and the decision to test — and how to act on borderline results — should always be a shared conversation, not a tick-box.
For women, the panel may include a review of hormonal health, iron status and bone-health markers, and we will talk through cervical screening, breast awareness, and menopause symptoms where relevant.
What else a good check should include
Bloods are only part of the picture. A proper health check should also cover:
- A full clinical examination — cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, ENT, skin and lymph nodes as appropriate.
- Blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, BMI and waist circumference.
- An ECG where age, symptoms or cardiovascular risk factors indicate it.
- A structured lifestyle review — nutrition, alcohol, physical activity, sleep and stress.
- Mental health and wellbeing screening — mood, anxiety, cognitive concerns.
- Review of vaccinations, cancer screening and family history.
- A written report and a follow-up conversation, in person or by phone.
How to compare private health check providers
When comparing options in London, the questions worth asking are less about the length of the test list and more about the clinical model behind it. In particular:
- Who interprets the results — a GP or specialist you can speak to, or a report generated remotely?
- How long is the consultation, and does it include a proper clinical examination?
- Is the blood panel tailored to your history, or the same for every patient?
- Do you receive a written report and a follow-up conversation?
- Is there a clear route to further investigations or specialist referrals if something is found?
- Are additional tests and investigations charged separately, and are those costs explained up front?
A cheaper package with no clinician follow-up is often a false economy. The most important part of a private health check is what happens after the results come back.
Which level of check is right for you?
As a rough guide: if you are broadly well, under 40, with no significant family history or symptoms, a Well Man / Well Woman Health Check every one to two years is usually appropriate. From 40 onwards, or earlier if there is a strong family history of heart disease, diabetes or cancer, an annual review becomes more valuable. If you have specific concerns — chest symptoms, unexplained fatigue, a family history of early cardiac events — a more targeted assessment with cardiology or another specialist may be the right next step.
The point is not to buy the largest possible package. It is to match the depth of assessment to your individual risk profile, and to make sure the results translate into a plan.
What our private health check includes
At the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a Well Man / Well Woman Health Check with me is a 45–60 minute private appointment from £180. It includes a full clinical examination, bespoke blood panel, ECG where indicated, and a written report with email or phone follow-up. Additional imaging, specialist referrals and further investigations are arranged on-site where needed and charged separately.
If you are unsure which level of health check is right for you, a short private GP consultation is often the best starting point. We can talk through your history and risk profile and agree the right assessment together — without committing to anything up front.