Raising a family is busy enough without having to worry about whether your children are getting the health care they need. From newborn checks and immunisations to the endless winter sniffles and the occasional tumble at the park, children’s health covers a lot of ground. Having a regular family GP close to home, one who knows your children and their history, takes much of the stress out of it. For families across Hope Island and the northern Gold Coast, this guide explains what children’s health care involves, why routine immunisations matter, and how to make everyday care easier.
Children are not simply small adults. Their bodies are growing and developing quickly, and their health needs change from one stage to the next. Seeing a regular GP means someone is tracking that growth and development over time, holds your child’s complete history, and can spot patterns that a one off visit to an unfamiliar doctor might miss. It also builds familiarity, so that appointments feel less daunting for your child. A family clinic that looks after parents and children together makes life simpler, letting you book care for the whole household in one place, close to home. Our practice is part of MyMedicare, the Australian Government program that strengthens the ongoing relationship between you, your family and your regular GP and care team.
One of the most important things you can do for your child’s health is to keep their immunisations up to date. Vaccines protect children from serious and sometimes life threatening infections, and they also help protect the wider community, including babies too young to be vaccinated. In Australia, routine childhood vaccines are provided free through the National Immunisation Program for eligible children.
The schedule begins at birth and continues with vaccinations at regular age points through the early years, usually at two, four, six, twelve and eighteen months, and again at around four years of age. Further vaccinations are offered to adolescents through school based programs in the high school years. If your child has missed any doses, free catch up vaccinations are available for children and young people up to the age of twenty. A yearly flu vaccine is also free for children aged six months to under five years.
Because the schedule is updated from time to time, it is best to confirm exactly which vaccines are due at each age with your GP or the official schedule. You can view the current schedule on the Australian Government Department of Health website. At our clinic, our team can check what your child is due for, administer their vaccinations, and keep their records up to date. Keeping immunisations current is also linked to eligibility for certain family assistance payments and, in many cases, enrolment in childcare and early education.
Beyond immunisations, regular check ups are a chance to keep an eye on your child’s growth and development, and to raise any questions or concerns. Depending on your child’s age, a GP can review growth and weight, developmental milestones, hearing and vision concerns, sleep, feeding and behaviour, and general wellbeing. These visits are also a good opportunity to talk through anything that has been on your mind as a parent, from eating habits to screen time to emotional health. There is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your child.
Children’s health is about more than coughs, colds and growth charts. Emotional and behavioural wellbeing matters just as much, and it is something a family GP can help with. Worries, big feelings, changes in mood, sleep difficulties, and challenges at school or with friendships are all part of growing up, and it can be hard for parents to know when something is a normal phase and when a little extra support would help. Talking it through with a GP who knows your child is a good starting point.
Where helpful, your GP can offer guidance, arrange further support, or connect your family with allied health services such as psychology. Raising concerns early, and in a calm and supportive way, helps children feel that their feelings are taken seriously. As with physical health, there is no need to wait until a problem feels large before seeking advice. A short conversation can bring reassurance, and if more support is useful, your GP can help you find the right path.
Children get sick often, especially in the early years and during the cooler months when coughs and colds circulate through childcare and school. Most of these illnesses are mild and pass with rest and care at home. It is worth booking an appointment if your child has a high fever that does not settle, is having trouble breathing, is unusually drowsy or difficult to wake, is not drinking or passing urine as normal, has a rash that concerns you, or simply is not improving as you would expect. Trust your instincts as a parent. If you feel something is not right, it is always reasonable to seek advice. For urgent or severe symptoms, such as serious difficulty breathing or a child who is very hard to wake, call 000.
We aim to make family health care as straightforward as possible. We are a bulk billing practice for eligible Medicare patients, so there is no out of pocket cost for covered consultations, and vaccines on the National Immunisation Program are free. Some services may attract a fee, and our reception team is happy to confirm what is bulk billed before your visit. On site pathology collection means many tests can be done without another trip, and telehealth appointments are available for suitable follow ups. You can read more about our children’s health service and our vaccinations on our website.
Whether it is time for a routine immunisation, a check up, or a worry you would like looked at, our team is here for your family. Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic is located at 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island QLD 4212, serving Hope Island and the surrounding northern Gold Coast, including Sanctuary Cove, Paradise Point, Helensvale, Coomera and Runaway Bay. Book online any time or call our reception team on 07 5510 9222.
