As a paediatrician, I often see families who have done everything right.
They've visited their GP. They've followed the advice they've been given. Their child isn't sick enough to require an Emergency Department visit, yet something still doesn't feel right. Parents know their child is struggling, but they often find themselves caught in a gap between primary care and hospital services.
This is exactly why we introduced our Monday Acute Paediatric Clinic at TinyTots Paediatrics.
General Practitioners (GPs) play a vital role in caring for children with common childhood illnesses such as viral infections, ear infections, sore throats, asthma flare-ups, and many other acute conditions. They are the cornerstone of paediatric healthcare, and most children recover well under their care.
At the other end of the spectrum, children who are seriously unwell should always be assessed promptly in the Emergency Department.
However, there is a group of children who fall somewhere in between.
These are children with medical concerns that are more complex than can reasonably be managed in a routine GP consultation, but who do not require emergency hospital care. They may need a specialist examination, targeted investigations, or a management plan before their condition worsens.
Unfortunately, these children can sometimes struggle to access timely specialist care. In many paediatric practices, appointment schedules are heavily committed to developmental and behavioural assessments, meaning medical concerns may wait weeks or months before they can be reviewed.
Developmental and behavioural concerns are incredibly important and remain a core part of our practice. Children with autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, developmental delays and behavioural challenges deserve comprehensive assessments and ongoing support.
At the same time, children with medical problems deserve timely access to specialist care when they need it. Our Monday Acute Paediatric Clinic has been designed to provide dedicated appointments for these children without compromising our developmental services.
Infants under two years of age often present unique diagnostic challenges. They cannot describe their symptoms, and medical conditions can change quickly during infancy.
For this reason, babies and toddlers under two years are given priority access to the clinic whenever possible. Early assessment can provide reassurance for families, identify children who need further investigation, and help ensure that serious conditions are not missed.
Examples of children who may benefit from this clinic include:
This clinic is not intended to replace your GP or the Emergency Department. Instead, it aims to strengthen the pathway between them.
Our goal is to work collaboratively with local GPs, providing specialist support when children require an additional level of assessment while ensuring emergency departments remain available for children who need urgent hospital care.
At TinyTots Paediatrics, we believe children should receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
If your GP feels your child would benefit from a specialist medical review, or if your child has an ongoing medical concern that isn't improving but doesn't require emergency care, our Monday Acute Paediatric Clinic may be able to help.
Because when parents are worried, children deserve answers not long waits.
Is the Monday Acute Paediatric Clinic meant to replace my family GP or Emergency Department?
No. Your GP remains the cornerstone of your child’s primary care, and any life-threatening emergency should always be seen at a hospital Emergency Department. Our Monday clinic is designed to fill the gap in between providing timely specialist assessments for children whose medical conditions are too complex for a standard GP visit, but who do not require urgent hospital admission. We work collaboratively with your GP to ensure your child receives the right level of care.
Which children get priority for appointments in this clinic?
While we see children of all ages with non-emergency medical concerns, we give priority access to babies and toddlers under two years of age. Infants cannot explain their symptoms, and their medical conditions can change rapidly. Prioritising our youngest patients allows us to perform early assessments, provide targeted support, and offer reassurance to parents as quickly as possible.
What types of conditions can be assessed at the acute clinic?
The clinic is suitable for a wide range of acute or persistent medical concerns where specialist input is needed, including:
Persistent or unexplained fevers and rashes
Ongoing or worsening respiratory symptoms
Poor weight gain, feeding concerns, or persistent jaundice in infants
Recurrent or complex infections requiring specialist review
Any non-emergency medical issue where your GP feels a paediatrician's assessment would be beneficial
Where is Tiny Tots Paediatrics located?
We're located at Suite 602, Level 6, Specialist Suites, John Flynn Private Hospital, 42A Inland Drive, Tugun, QLD 4224 convenient for families across the Gold Coast and northern NSW.
Give your child the specialist care they deserve. Book an appointment with our Gold Coast Monday Acute Paediatric Clinic today, or call 07 5610 4070 to speak with our friendly staff.
