Unexpected consultation fee, am I in the right ? (England)
I emailed a couple dermatologist regarding raised scarring and one called me back immediately. They asked me about the issue and then asked when I was available for an appointment and I gave them a time. I arrived at the appointment, the doctor asked me a few basic medical assessment questions aswell as my personal details. The doctor the examined me and talked to me about the treatments he’d recommend and how much they costed. He then asked me which one I’d like to do and I picked steroid injections, which he said would be £120. He then at the very end of the appointment after I’d decided on the injections informed me about a consultation fee of £180. Obviously I was expecting to pay for treatment since it was a private dermatologist however there was zero mention of any consultation fee up until this point, not in the confirmation text, not in the initial phone call, not prior to the appointment and not in the portal where you email regarding a consultation. Nothing. So I didn’t think there would be a fee which is why I attended in the first place. I was very shocked and didn’t know what to say but he ended up letting me pay for both the fee and treatment on a later date where I’d receive the treatment. However I honestly do not want to return because I feel blindsided by the timing he decided to mention the consultation fee, yes maybe I should’ve before hand and done more research but I don’t feel like the clinic made it obvious at all they never mentioned any fee up until this point. I don’t want to get into trouble since they have my address but can someone help me as I don’t know if I’m ok to simply just not return and pay the fee. After the appointment I looked on the website and in the patient FAQs it does mention a consultation fee of £185 if you scroll down and select the question about price. But again, this was not made clear to me at any point of our contact until the very end of the appointment, had I know I wouldn’t have even attended. Am I in the right or should I got back and pay the £300 ?
Posted Jan 27, 2026, 1:45 PM UTC