Children's health,newborn to sixteen.

Catch-up schedules exist for exactly this and the vaccines remain funded. There is no penalty and no lecture — bring what records you have and we will map out what is needed.

Commonly a sore arm or leg, a mild fever, and a grumpy child for a day. Serious reactions are rare. You will be asked to wait a short time afterwards, which is a precaution rather than a sign of concern.

A mild cold with no fever is usually fine. A significant fever generally means postponing by a few days. Ring reception and ask rather than guessing.

Childcare and school enrolment require an up-to-date immunisation history statement. We can tell you what is outstanding, and the statement comes from your Medicare online account or the Medicare app.

Annual, and funded for children aged six months to under five years, along with several other groups. It is separate from the childhood schedule and worth booking before winter.

A structured review before school — growth, vision, hearing, speech, behaviour and immunisation status. It is a good moment to raise anything you have been wondering about, because there is time set aside for it.

No. Speech is one of the areas where early input makes the most difference, and a hearing test is often the first step. Waiting to see is rarely the better option.

Plotted on a chart over time, which tells us far more than any single measurement. The direction of travel matters more than the number on the day.

Please do. Postnatal mental health is part of these appointments by design, and it is asked about because it is common, treatable, and frequently unspoken.

Yes, when a specialist opinion is needed. We send the history and any results so the appointment starts from something rather than nothing.

How the child looks matters more than the number on the thermometer. Drowsiness, difficulty waking, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies and any breathing difficulty all matter more than the reading.

A fever in a baby under three months is the exception and is always urgent — that needs an emergency department, not a GP appointment. The one qualification is a mild fever in the day or two after vaccinations; ring and ask rather than guessing.

Difficulty breathing, blue or very pale skin, a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass, a stiff neck, a seizure, or a child who is floppy, unrousable or will not wake properly. Call 000 — do not wait for an appointment.

Because most of these illnesses are viral, and antibiotics do nothing to a virus while still producing side effects and contributing to resistance. When they are needed, they are prescribed without hesitation.

Coughs commonly outlast the illness by weeks, particularly in winter. A cough that is getting worse rather than better, comes with breathing difficulty, or persists beyond a few weeks should be reviewed.

Very common, and it needs the ear looked into — which is one of the things that cannot be done over the phone. Book to be seen.

At least once a year, and after any flare-up or hospital visit. Children grow, doses change, and plans go out of date quietly.

Almost always. Puffers used without a spacer deliver considerably less to the lungs in young children. Spacers are inexpensive and make a real difference.

Colds are the most common trigger in children. Smoke, dust, pollen, exercise, cold air and pets are all frequent. Knowing your child's own pattern is more useful than the general list.

It is a barrier problem, which is why moisturiser is treatment rather than cosmetic and needs to be used generously and regularly, not only during flares. Steroid creams are used properly when needed — under-treating a flare is more common than over-treating one.

If a reliever is not working, if your child is struggling to breathe or speak in full sentences, or if they are becoming drowsy — call 000.

While you wait for the ambulance, give four puffs of the blue reliever through a spacer, one puff at a time with four breaths after each, and repeat every four minutes. That is the standard first-aid step and it is safe to do.

The blue book if you have it, or your child's immunisation history statement. Any medicines they are on, including puffers and creams. And your own list of questions — it is very easy to walk out having forgotten the one you came for.

Each child needs their own appointment, because each is a separate consultation. Tell reception and they will book them back to back so it is one trip.

Yes. Standard consultations are bulk billed for everyone with a valid Medicare card, including children. Your child needs to be on a Medicare card — their own or a parent's.

Where possible, and it is worth asking for. Continuity matters more with children than with almost anyone else, because the person who saw them last knows what has changed.

Say so. This comes up more often than you would think, particularly with older children, and it can be managed.

Longer than you expect. Some require examination and measurements, some require reviewing the record. Book a long appointment and bring the form itself, not a photo of page one.

Some do. Forms and reports for third parties are not always a Medicare service. Reception will tell you before the appointment.

A standard GP referral runs twelve months from your first appointment with the specialist. Read more about how referrals work.

Assessment for children is offered here by Dr Zahraa Hussein. It takes more than one appointment and it is privately billed rather than bulk billed — see ADHD assessment for what is involved.

Bring it in and we will tell you honestly whether it is something general practice can complete or whether it needs a specialist or allied health report.