Special care · Children

Taking your child to the GP

Has your child had a runny nose for days, a fever, or been complaining of tummy ache? It is not always easy to judge when you should call the GP. We are happy to help you decide.

Not sure? Feel free to call

The care needs of (young) children can sometimes be hard to judge. A child can have a runny nose for weeks and a fever on and off. They are not seriously ill, but not well either. As a parent or carer, it can then be difficult to decide when something needs to be done. You don’t want to see the GP about every little thing, but you do want your child to get better quickly.

Common complaints in children

Children often have a wide range of complaints, such as tummy ache, hard stools, headache, tiredness, growing pains and changing eating habits. These complaints do not immediately set alarm bells ringing, but they are unpleasant for your child.

Our doctors have a lot of experience with children, both at work and in their private lives. They understand the dilemmas of (working) parents and give you honest advice about what is needed to get your child well again as quickly as possible.

Questions about your child’s health?

Do you have questions about your child’s health, or does your child have symptoms that worry you? Then call the practice. We will assess the symptoms and give you sound advice or suitable treatment.

At a glance

If in doubt, you can always call the doctor’s assistant
Children can see any of our GPs
Urgent care outside opening hours: the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service)
Non-urgent questions via the online consultation

Direct contact

Practice: 010 452 77 92
Mon–Fri 08.00 – 17.00

Evenings, nights and weekends:
Huisartsenpost SFG 010 466 95 73

Our care

What can you see us about with your child?

From a heavy cold to concerns about growth or behaviour: we take a careful look at your child.

Fever and colds

How long is a fever normal and when should you call us? We help you judge that.

Tummy ache and bowel movements

Recurring tummy ache or hard stools are common. Together we look for the cause.

Skin and eczema

Rashes, eczema, warts or chickenpox: we take a look and advise you.

Ears, throat and eyes

Earache, a sore throat or a red eye are common complaints in children.

Growth, eating and sleeping

Worried about growth, eating habits, sleep or toilet training? Discuss it with the GP.

Feelings and behaviour

With low mood, anxiety or behavioural problems, too, we think along with you and refer where necessary.

At the consultation

Together with you and your child

A visit to the GP can be exciting or scary for a child. We take our time, explain what we are doing in language your child understands and involve your child in the conversation.

Well prepared for the appointment

Write down when the symptoms started and how high the fever was.
Check whether your child is drinking and passing urine normally.
Bring the medicines your child is taking.
For young children: bring the growth booklet or the details from the consultatiebureau (child health clinic).

Comparison

Where can you go with your child?

Not every complaint is equally urgent. This overview helps you choose.

Situation	What do you do?	When?
Life-threatening: unconscious, severely short of breath, blue or grey	Call 112	Immediately, day and night
Baby under 3 months with a fever, or a child who is drowsy or floppy	Call the practice: 010 452 77 92, press 1 for urgent matters	Mon–Fri 08.00 – 17.00
Urgent care outside opening hours	Call Huisartsenpost SFG 010 466 95 73	Evenings, nights and weekends
Complaints that have been going on for a while	Make an appointment via Uw Zorg Online (our online patient portal) or call the practice	Book online 24/7
A question that is not urgent, for example about a skin rash	Ask your question via the online consultation, with a photo if needed	Answer within 1 to 2 working days
General information about illness and health	Visit Thuisarts.nl (Dutch GPs’ health information website)	Any time

Not sure whether something is urgent? Always call. We would rather see your child once too often than once too little.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about children and the GP

Can’t find your question? Please feel free to contact us.

When should I take my child with a fever to the GP?

Call immediately if your child is under 3 months old and has a fever (38 °C or higher). Also call immediately if your child is drowsy or floppy, difficult to wake, short of breath, drinking poorly or passing less urine, or has spots that do not fade when pressed. If the fever lasts longer than 3 days or comes back after a few days, please contact us as well. If in doubt, you can always call.

Can my child see any GP in the practice?

Yes, all our GPs see children. If you prefer a regular GP, please mention this when making the appointment.

Do I need to register my child separately?

Yes, every family member has their own registration. You fill in a registration form for each family member. This also applies to a newborn baby.

How long can a cold last in a child?

In children a cold often lasts one to two weeks, and the cough can continue for several weeks. Young children catch a cold several times a year; that is normal. Contact us if your child is short of breath, drinking poorly, develops earache or a high fever, or seems very ill.

Who decides about a child’s treatment?

Up to the age of 12, the parents or guardian decide. Between 12 and 16, consent is needed from both the child and the parents. From the age of 16, young people decide about their own treatment.

Can my teenager see the GP alone?

Yes. Young people may make an appointment themselves and come to the consultation on their own. The GP treats what they say confidentially.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Bring the medicines your child is taking and write down beforehand when the symptoms started, how high the fever was and whether your child is drinking and passing urine normally. For young children it is useful to bring the growth booklet.

What is the difference between the consultatiebureau and the GP?

The consultatiebureau (child health clinic; in Rotterdam: CJG Rijnmond) monitors the growth and development of healthy children and gives the vaccinations from the National Immunisation Programme (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma). If your child is ill or has symptoms, you go to the GP.

My child has pain when passing urine or has started wetting the bed again. What now?

This may be a sign of a bladder infection. Call the practice; we often ask you to bring some urine in a clean container. If your child also has a fever, tummy or back pain, or is very ill, contact us the same day.

Can I ask a question about my child via the online consultation?

Yes, for questions that are not urgent. You can send photos, for example of a skin rash. You will receive an answer within 1 to 2 working days. In an emergency or if your child is very ill, always call the practice or the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service).

Special care

Questions or need an appointment?

Call the practice on weekdays between 8:00 and 17:00, or book an appointment yourself via Uw Zorg Online. For urgent matters outside opening hours, call the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost).