Waiting times for access to community paediatric services are long. At GPSpeak's request Dr Jackie Andrews offers the following advice to improve the patient's journey as well as the efficiency of this valuable resource.
GPs are often asked to do a referral to a paediatrician for children who have difficulties with their behaviour in the home or school environments. Developmental delay is another common reason for referral. GPs will greatly assist if they can get some initial assessments organised prior to the paediatrician appointment.
Important areas are:
- Ensuring hearing and vision are screened if clinically indicated.
- Asking the school to forward a summary letter of concerns to the relevant paediatrician, as well as forwarding any other reports including school counsellor reports prior to the appointment.
- Ensuring the family brings with them any reports from Allied Health workers or others involved already with the child.
- Assessing and managing any sleep difficulties or medical issues that may be impacting on the child.
- Assessing and managing any mental health, drug and alcohol or other issues affecting the parents that may impact on the child in the home environment.
The more information that we are given by the GP the more thorough our assessment can be. If you are aware of issues within the family environment that may be impacting on the child could you please include this information in referrals.
