[papapiolo]

Hi,

We just moved here in Adelaide last year. Is there any pediatrician here that conduct regular check ups with my daughter, like monthly check ups? because currently, I only bring my child to GP if there is something not right with her. Like she has cough or running nose. I want her to get a regular check up and most of the time, we are kinda disappointed with the way GP checks up my daughter. so we are thinking of having her checked by pediatrician on regular basis. I read that a referral from GP is needed but what if we just need a regular check up even if without any sickness... any idea on cost entail? any advise would be appreciated. I do believe that prevention is better than cure so i want a regular check up with my daughter.

[lilwonder]

I am not certain but I think you might really struggle to find a pediatrician who would take you on just for general check ups? GP may not also give you a referral for one. Most pediatricians are very busy and have large waiting lists for dealing with children who need specialist help. I would maybe look at changing GP if you are not happy or try Child and Youth Health

[lsolaBella]

Monthly check ups would be with your child health nurse or change GP like PP suggested.

Even when we needed to see a paed 3-6m wait lists (and that was private). They don't do regular standard cheks for normal healthy bubs.

Early on first 6m you may want to have bubs checked, but as they grow/get bigger you do it less.

6m, 9m, 12m, 15m, 18m, 2yrs are standard child health nurse checks.

What do you want checked? Height weight development?

[rosiebird]

There's no point in having "well child" checkups with a paediatrician. Go to a good child health nurse.

[sparkler]

OP you would need to find a GP willing to give you a refferal, and then find a paediatrician who is taking on new patients and then pay up to $300.00 for the initial consultation, we pay $100.00 for subsequent appointments but I know other who pay more.

And I have found ours to be wonderfull when DS is having significant problems with his lungs but not so much for help with day to day feeding issues or whatever.

As the PP have said the child health clinics are wonderfull for that, better than GP's IMO (no offence Rosiebird).

This post has been edited by sparkler: 16/01/2013, 10:41 AM

[papapiolo]

Thanks for all the replies. I just want to have a regular check up for my toddler. Just to make sure she is healthy enough. Where can I find this child health nurses?

[Sinister Bonnet]

Paeds in Australia are not generalist health doctors but are specialist doctors for kids with known problems. Here we tend to see GPs or CHNs. If you don't like your GP find another one who meets your needs.

[lsolaBella]

http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=132



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Recommended health checks and consultations
Child and Family Health Services provides free health checks for children at key developmental ages between birth and 6 years. These checks are recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) and are offered at:
1-4 weeks (at the first home visit)
6 weeks
6-9 months
18 to 24 months
3 years.
Children can also be seen at any age when parents have concerns, questions or issues. (See the topic Health checks)
Pre-school health checks
Child and Family Health nurses visit all kindergartens and pre-school centres across the state to provide vision, hearing, growth and developmental checks, providing opportunities for parents to discuss parenting or health concerns. Teachers, nurses and parents work in partnership to assess children's needs before school entry.
Immunisation
Women's and Children's Health Network staff can provide information about immunisation through Child and Family Health centres, and via the Parent Helpline.
Immunisation is offered as part of other child health services from many clinic sites. Free vaccines are available at specific health checks, in accordance with the National Immunisation Schedule.
Other assessments
Child and Family Health Services offer a limited service for children referred for physiotherapy assessment.
Contact details
Business hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Telephone: 1300 733 606 for appointment bookings
(line open 9am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday)
To locate your nearest Child and Family Health centre, click here

All Child and Family Health Services are free and statewide. They are provided by qualified nurses, medical staff, social workers, physiotherapists and Indigenous Cultural Consultants.