Finding a doctor
Choosing a doctor for your child is an important decision. You must find a doctor that you feel comfortable with, as you’ll likely see a lot of him after your child’s born. If you don’t have a good rapport with your current GP, find a new one. Your local library or Citizens’ Advice Bureau has a list of GPs and their contact details. Many health authorities and primary care trusts also have Web sites where you can find out about doctors in your area.
A paediatrician is a doctor who specializes in child illnesses and is up to date with trends in child health care. Paediatricians focus on preventive healthcare and help you with problems that require specialist treatment. Many paediatricians are based in hospitals, but community paediatricians work with schools. In the UK, you cannot book an appointment directly with a paediatrician – you need to be referred by your GP.
Here are some pointers and questions to ask when choosing a GP for your child:
- Ask friends, colleagues, and family members for recommendations.
- Does your child have any special healthcare needs? If you want a doctor who specialises in children’s health, look for a GP with ‘DCH’ after his name, which means he has a diploma in child health.
- What are the opening hours of the surgery? Do patients always see the same doctor? Does the surgery accept after-hours phone calls or e-mails?
- Does the doctor support your approach to childcare? Is he open to discussing complementary therapies if you value an holistic approach?
- Does the surgery have a baby clinic or a paediatric nurse?
- Is the surgery relaxed, efficient, and friendly? Take a look around several surgeries before making a decision.
- What hospital is the surgery attached to? Does the hospital have paediatric care and 24-hour nurses? If not, you may want to find a different one.
- Is the surgery large or small? A larger surgery may have longer opening hours but may be less intimate than a smaller place.
- What is the surgery’s policy on seeing children? Are children prioritised? Can you get a same-day appointment? What are the usual waiting times?
Posted in Children's Health
