How a paediatrician can help your child

“We work as a team at the clinic. If I’m not available to see one of my patients, parents are able to make an appointment with a paediatrician who has a similar way of working to me and has full access to their child’s medical notes.” 

We caught up with paediatrician Dr Claudine De Munter, to talk about how paediatricians specialise in the diseases and illnesses that affect the health and development of babies, children and teenagers and how this helps parents care for their families.

 

What is it that you enjoy most in your role as a paediatrician?

General paediatrics involves managing illness to helping parents to manage their child’s sleep to making sure childhood vaccinations are on schedule, which vary according to nationality. I understand the many different calendars to accommodate parent’s preferences for vaccinating their child, as I look after families who’ve moved to London from all over the world. And of course there are the neurological and developmental checks, plus any issues which might arise with feeding during the first few weeks and months. Essentially, my job is to look after the whole child.

Growth delay in children is a common reason for parents to visit a paediatrician, so understanding what role hormones play is useful when managing the condition. And understanding puberty is very important, especially where girls or boys go through early or delayed puberty.


Do you offer same-day paediatric appointments?

Yes, whenever possible. Every parent will have chosen their child’s paediatrician, but we work as a team and support each other to make sure the child will be seen by someone not just with specialist knowledge of children’s health, but with knowledge of their child’s health. We can do this because we all have access to the same medical notes. An emergency can happen at any time on any day and any parent will want their child seen immediately. So even if I’m not available, another paediatrician in the team will be.  

 

Would you say you are ‘on-call’ for your patients?

I’m always with my phone. So, if a parent emails or texts me with a question, I will always do my best to reply as soon as I can. Maybe they want an appointment. Or to know if a symptom is a cause for concern. Parents really appreciate that I’m available for them – and they don’t tend to overuse the service.  

 

And what’s your role in supporting parents?

I often become very close to parents. I think it’s vital to ask parents, especially those who’ve just had their first child, “How do you really feel?”. I believe it’s my role is to be a support for the mother and help her feel secure in her role. 

The interaction between the mother, the child and me is very important. I’m there to support, to be an ally. I would have loved to have had an understanding paediatrician at the beginning of my journey.  

 

Appointments for your child

If you’d like to learn more or make an appointment with Dr Claudine De Munter please call 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.