Children's Health Clinics

Children's health clinics

Children's health services include private paediatric clinics and child development services, covering everything from general childhood illnesses to assessment of growth, behaviour and development. Paediatricians are doctors on the GMC's specialist register, and private children's clinics in England are registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. Some services are led by allied health professionals registered with the HCPC.

When families use these services

• General paediatrics — assessment of childhood illnesses and ongoing conditions.
• Child development — assessment of speech, behaviour, learning and developmental concerns.
• Specialist referrals — access to paediatric specialists, often with shorter waits privately.

NHS care for children

Children in the UK receive a great deal of care free on the NHS, including GP care, immunisations, health visiting and hospital paediatrics. Some families choose private clinics for faster assessment or a second opinion. NHS and private care can work alongside each other.

If your child is unwell

Trust your instincts. For urgent concerns, contact your GP or call NHS 111; for a child who is seriously unwell — for example struggling to breathe, very drowsy or with a non-fading rash — call 999. This page is information only and not medical advice.

Last updated: 2026-07-22

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