Does your child need to see a Doctor today?
The practice offers appointments daily for assessment of unwell children. Sometimes requests will be triaged first by a clinician to ensure that the correct appointment is given. Some conditions can be managed with advice over the telephone or advice from the local pharmacist.
When considering if your child requires an urgent assessment the following information may be of use:
- Most common infections do not get better quicker with antibiotics
- Most children with a cold, cough, sore throat or earache who see their GP will still be ill 4 days later. This does not mean that they need treatment or need to be seen again.
- One third of children who have seen their GP with a cough will still be coughing 2 weeks later. This does not mean that they need treatment.
- Only children with signs of more serious illness generally need to be seen by a doctor or nurse. These signs include:
- Excessive drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Cold or discoloured hands &/or feet with warm body
- Abnormal pains in arms &/or legs
- Abnormal colour (pale or blue)
- Persistently high temperature not responding to medication
- Symptoms related to meningitis
- Unusually severe headache
- A Stiff neck (difficulty putting chin to chest)
- Dislike of bright lights
- A rash that does not fade with pressure
The following website may also provide further useful information www.whenshouldiworry.com
Please choose well and choose us rather than A&E
