Children's Health and Paediatric Consultations with Private GPs in London

Your child is unwell, and you're worried. Should you wait days for an NHS GP appointment? Rush to A&E for a minor issue? Or struggle through another night wondering if that cough, rash, or fever needs medical attention? For busy London parents, private GP consultations for children offer fast, professional healthcare when your family needs it most. At The Online GP, we provide expert paediatric consultations from GMC-registered doctors, available same-day.

Why Choose Private GP Consultations for Children's Health?

As any parent knows, childhood illnesses rarely happen at convenient times. Children can be fine at breakfast and feverish by lunch. Waiting days for NHS appointments while your child suffers isn't ideal, and A&E visits for non-emergencies mean hours of waiting with sick children in crowded waiting rooms. Here's why private paediatric consultations make sense:

Same-Day Access: Our telephone consultations (£49) and video consultations (£150) can be booked within hours, not days. When your child is ill, fast access to professional medical advice provides reassurance and treatment promptly.

Expert Assessment: Our experienced GPs can assess common childhood conditions, provide diagnoses, prescribe medications, and advise on when specialist referral might be needed.

Convenience for Working Parents: Evening and weekend appointments available, fitting around school runs, work schedules, and family life. No need to take entire days off work for a 10-minute appointment.

Video Consultations for Visual Assessment: Rashes, throat infections, eye problems – many childhood conditions benefit from visual examination. Our video consultations (£150) allow GPs to see symptoms clearly without the stress of traveling with unwell children.

Prescription Authority: If your child needs antibiotics, inhalers, or other medications, we can prescribe immediately and send prescriptions electronically to your local pharmacy.

What Children's Health Issues Can Private GPs Treat?

Our GPs can diagnose and treat a wide range of common childhood conditions:

Respiratory Infections:

- Coughs and colds

- Chest infections and bronchitis

- Croup assessment and management

- Asthma reviews and inhaler prescriptions

- Recurrent ear infections (otitis media)

- Tonsillitis and throat infections

Skin Conditions:

- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) management and treatment plans

- Childhood acne

- Rashes (viral, allergic, or unknown cause)

- Molluscum contagiosum

- Warts and verrucas

- Fungal infections (ringworm, athlete's foot)

- Impetigo and other bacterial skin infections

Digestive Issues:

- Abdominal pain assessment

- Constipation management

- Diarrhea and vomiting

- Suspected food intolerances

- Reflux in infants and children

Fever and Infections:

- Unexplained fevers requiring assessment

- Scarlet fever

- Hand, foot and mouth disease

- Chickenpox advice and management

- Suspected meningitis symptoms (we'll arrange urgent hospital referral if needed)

Allergies and Hay Fever:

- Seasonal allergies and hay fever

- Suspected food allergies

- Eczema linked to allergies

- Advice on allergy testing

- Prescription of antihistamines and other medications

Behavioural and Developmental Concerns:

- ADHD assessment and initial consultation (with specialist referral options)

- Autism concerns (initial discussion and referral pathways)

- Sleep problems and sleep hygiene advice

- Anxiety in children and teenagers

- School-related stress

Adolescent Health:

- Acne treatment for teenagers

- Menstrual problems in teenage girls

- Sports injuries assessment

- Mental health support

- Sexual health advice and contraception for older teenagers

How Do Video Consultations Work for Children?

Many parents worry that virtual consultations can't replace in-person examination for children, but modern video technology is remarkably effective:

1. Book Your Appointment: Choose a convenient time – often available same-day or next-day.

2. Prepare Your Child: Have them comfortable and accessible. For younger children, having favorite toys nearby can help keep them calm and cooperative.

3. Visual Examination: During the video call, our GP will ask you to show relevant areas – rashes, throat, ears (with your phone's flashlight), or observe breathing patterns.

4. Interactive Assessment: For older children, the GP can interact directly, asking them about symptoms and observing behavior and responsiveness.

5. Parental History: You'll provide details about symptoms, duration, what you've tried, and your concerns.

6. Diagnosis and Plan: Based on what we see and hear, we'll provide a diagnosis or differential diagnosis, treatment plan, and advice on what to watch for.

7. Prescription If Needed: Medications prescribed and sent electronically to your pharmacy for immediate collection.

8. Follow-Up Arrangements: We can schedule follow-up consultations to monitor progress, typically within 24-48 hours if needed.

When Should You See a Private GP for Your Child?

Consider booking a private paediatric consultation if:

- Your child has been unwell for several days with no improvement

- NHS appointments aren't available for days but you're concerned now

- You're unsure whether symptoms warrant A&E or can wait

- Your child needs prescription medication (antibiotics, inhalers, creams)

- Persistent symptoms affecting sleep, eating, or daily activities

- Rashes you want professionally assessed

- You want second opinions on diagnoses or treatment plans

- School requires medical clearance for return after illness

How Much Do Children's Health Consultations Cost?

We believe in transparent, affordable pricing:

Telephone Consultation: £49 – Suitable for straightforward issues, follow-ups, prescription requests, or when you already know the diagnosis

Video Consultation: £150 – Recommended for initial assessment of visible symptoms (rashes, throat issues, injuries) where visual examination is beneficial

Prescriptions: Included in consultation fee (you pay standard pharmacy dispensing charges)

Follow-Up Consultations: Same pricing structure if follow-up assessment is needed

This is significantly more affordable than many private paediatric clinics charging £200-300+ for initial consultations, and provides fast access when your child needs help.

When Should You Go to A&E Instead?

Private GP consultations are excellent for common childhood illnesses, but some situations require emergency care. Go to A&E or call 999 if your child:

- Has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast

- Is unresponsive or difficult to wake

- Has a seizure or fit

- Has severe allergic reaction symptoms

- Has a persistent high fever with stiff neck, sensitivity to light, or unusual drowsiness

- Has ingested something poisonous

- Has severe injury or trauma

If you're uncertain whether symptoms are urgent, call us – we can help you decide whether A&E, private consultation, or home management is most appropriate.

Do You Need to Register Children with the Practice?

No registration required. Unlike NHS GPs, private consultations don't require registration. This is perfect for:

- Families new to London who haven't yet registered with NHS GPs

- Families temporarily in London (expats, students, temporary work assignments)

- Parents wanting fast access while remaining registered with NHS GPs

- One-off consultations for specific issues

Can You Get Specialist Referrals If Needed?

Absolutely. If our assessment suggests your child needs specialist care – whether paediatric dermatology, paediatric respiratory medicine, paediatric gastroenterology, or other specialties – we can arrange private referrals. Private paediatric specialist appointments are often available within 1-2 weeks, bypassing NHS waiting lists that can stretch for months.

Parent Peace of Mind

One of the most valuable aspects of private paediatric consultations is reassurance. Many parental concerns turn out to be normal childhood variations or minor issues that don't require treatment. Having a qualified GP confirm that your child is fine and provide specific advice on what to watch for offers immeasurable peace of mind, especially for first-time parents or when dealing with unfamiliar symptoms.

Ready for Fast, Professional Children's Healthcare?

Don't let your child suffer while waiting for NHS appointments. Whether it's a persistent cough, worrying rash, ear infection, or any other childhood health concern, our experienced GPs are here to help.

WhatsApp us today at [your number] to book a paediatric consultation. Same-day appointments available. Video consultations from £150, telephone consultations from £49. Give your child the prompt medical care they deserve.