sychiatrists in London charge 45 per cent more than the rest of the UK, with patients forking out around £100 more on average, new data reveals.
The average cost for an initial consultation with a psychiatrist in the capital is £400, with a follow up appointment costing £200.
That’s compared with the national average of £275, excluding London, for an initial consultation and £165 for a follow up, according to MyTribe Insurance.
Private psychiatrists are the least expensive in Birmingham, at £290 for an initial consultation, closely followed by Manchester where patients are set back £295.
Initial consultations cost £360 in Southampton, £300 in Scotland and £130 in Northern Ireland.
Londoners are also paying more to see a private psychologist.
Psychologists in London charge 37 per cent more than the rest of the UK, at £100 for an initial consultation compared to £73, MyTribe Insurance found.
The prices are based on information from nearly 600 specialists across the UK in July and August, MyTribe Insurance said.
The survey also found that it costs, on average, 27 per cent more to see a medical consultant in London compared to the rest of the UK.
Medical consultants include physiotherapists, orthodonists and cardiologists.
With NHS wait times for non-urgent mental health treatment reaching up to 18 weeks, Londoners may be forced to consider private healthcare.
Of the patients waiting for mental health services in June 2022 across England, 75.9 per cent were seen within 18 weeks, NHS data shows.
“1.6 million people are now on the waiting list for treatment from mental health services, and a further eight million people who could benefit from support can’t get on the waiting list because they’re not deemed ‘unwell enough’,” Gemma Bryne, a spokesperson for mental health charity Mind, told the Standard.
“The pandemic has taken a huge toll on the nation’s mental health, with many people experiencing mental health problems for the first time, while others felt their existing mental health problems get worse.
“Some groups have been hit particularly hard, including young people, those on low incomes and people from racialised communities.”
Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, said it’s common to be on a waiting list before getting therapy through the NHS.
For anyone waiting, Mr Buckley suggested regular physical activity, keeping a healthy diet, staying in contat with loved ones and keeping your mind stimulated.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists declined to comment.
If you need 24 hour support call the Samaritans free-phone on 116 123.
