Thurleigh Rd is wonderful, lots of ex-paediatrician GPs there so a great feel for families. However they operate a catchment area so check their website to see if your road falls within it.

Alternatively we see various paediatricians at the Cromwell hospital in South Ken - this has been mainly for specific areas, but they have general paeds too. Their profiles are online so you could browse ?

Hi Giovanna

Firstly a warm welcome to London. I promise there are a few friendly ones amongst us. As the poster above mentioned you need to register with a local GP this is easier once you are here, it takes moments.

I'm sure a few people will happily recommend some as there are lots to choose from, I've been with The Lavender Hill Group Practice for 11 years and I think they are brilliant. Good choice of GP's (General practicioners).

It depends what you and your husband are doing in London and how long you are planning to stay but lots of good companies offer their staff private healthcare as a benefit. You still go through the GP system at first but when they refer you to a specialist you will get to see them quicker than via the NHS system.

You are moving to a great area for a young family with lots to do with your child and great people to meet up with.

I have a nearly 3 year old and 9mth old so please PM me with any specific questions or when you arrive give me a shout and happy to meet for coffee.

Best of luck with the move.

X

Hi Giovanna, we moved here from the US a couple of years ago and found the medical system to be quite different. As per previous posters, you will need to register with a GP upon arrival (have heard good things about Thurleigh Rd surgery, as GP practices as called here); visits -and usually medication- are free under the age of 16. Pediatricians are considered consultants (specialists) and need to be referred by GP.

Having said that, you also have the option of registering with a private GP which you pay for and will have usually faster access to specialists if you have private insurance.

Good luck with the move and please PM me any questions I could help with. You have chosen a great area to settle in.

Hey, we live in NYC and are looking at this area too for a potential move in the coming months. Moving countries is hard and a lot of things aren't that easy to research (you don't know what you don't know) so do not feel bad for asking any questions.

In the US, you would always look to gain a pediatrician as a child specialist doctor for everyday issues. The UK is different. There you would look to register your family as a whole with a GP (General Practitioner) and take your child there whenever they are sick. Although that may seem strange (my husband is American) doctors there are experienced at the general level for everyone. They would then refer you to a specialist only if it's something more serious.

Good luck with everything and please feel free to message me directly if you'd like to.

Carrie (Lillian 18 months)

giovanna: You need to educate yourself about life in the U.K. The healthcare system is very different from the U.S. Google is your friend.

Hi. What do you need a paediatrician for? We usually see a specialist paediatrician if there is a problem eg a paediatric cardiologist but we don't just have a designated paediatrician for general health questions. Instead you see your health visitor or GP.

Have you registered with a GP surgery yet? I can recommend Thurleigh Road Practice and I'm sure you'd be in catchment.

Hope that helps.

I am about to move to Bellville road off the Northcote road from California and I have a 7 month old daughter. I was wondering if anyone had a Paediatrician in the area that they recommend. Thanks.