Appointments explained
What type of appointment does your child need?
Not sure which appointment to book? This page explains each type clearly so you can choose the right one for your child's situation. Every appointment is with one of our consultant paediatricians — no nurses or registrars.
How to book: online (Wimpole Street, video, and Dr Burmester at Chiswick) or by calling 020 3633 2915. Dr Gray at Chiswick is booked through HCA's diary (see the booking page), and Dr Gray at The Cromwell is booked by phone. You don't need to register with us first for those two — we'll email you a registration and consent form after you book.
New patients & new concerns
Well-Child / Initial Consultation
45 minutes · In person · £320
This is the right appointment if you are new to Bright Futures Health, or if your child has a new health concern that hasn't been assessed before. Our consultant paediatrician will take a thorough history, carry out a full physical examination, review developmental milestones, and produce a personalised health plan for your child.
Well-child checks follow the internationally recognised Bright Futures framework — a comprehensive approach to preventative care covering growth, nutrition, development, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing across every stage of childhood.
What's covered
- Full developmental milestone review
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Growth monitoring (height, weight, BMI)
- Nutrition & feeding assessment
- Behavioural & emotional wellbeing review
- Age-appropriate health screening
- Immunisation record review
- Personalised health plan
- Written consultation summary letter
Book this if… your child is new to Bright Futures Health, you have a new health concern, or you would like a comprehensive health review. No referral required.
Insurance patients — important. Most UK private health insurance policies do not cover well-child assessments or health screening appointments, which are classified as preventative care. This applies to the majority of major UK insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, and Allianz. If you hold a policy, please check your cover directly with your insurer before booking. We offer self-pay pricing to all patients regardless of insurance status.
0–6 weeks
Newborn Review
45 minutes · In person · £320
The newborn period is one of the most important — and most anxious — times for new parents. Our consultant paediatricians offer dedicated newborn reviews for babies in the first weeks of life, typically from two weeks after hospital discharge. These appointments are unhurried and parent-centred: we have time for all your questions.
The review covers feeding (breast or bottle), weight gain, jaundice, colic, reflux, skin concerns, umbilical cord care, and developmental checks. If you have concerns about your baby that can't wait, please contact us — same-week and short-notice appointments are often available.
What's covered
- Full newborn examination
- Weight gain & growth review
- Feeding assessment (breast or bottle)
- Jaundice assessment
- Colic, reflux & digestive concerns
- Skin: rashes, birthmarks, eczema
- Hip screening & developmental checks
- Newborn hearing & vision concerns
- Parent questions & reassurance
Book this if… your baby is 0–6 weeks old and you'd like a thorough health review — or you have specific concerns about feeding, weight, jaundice, or anything else in the newborn period.
Insurance patients — important. Routine newborn health reviews are typically excluded from private health insurance cover as a preventative appointment. Please confirm your cover with your insurer before booking. Self-pay is always available.
Existing patients
Follow-Up Consultation
30 minutes · In person, video, or phone · £260
Follow-up appointments are for existing Bright Futures Health patients who have already had an initial assessment. They are ideal for reviewing investigation results, updating a treatment or management plan, or monitoring a known condition. You will always see the same consultant who saw your child initially, ensuring continuity of care.
Follow-ups can take place face-to-face at our clinic, or remotely by video call or telephone — the fee is the same regardless of format. This flexibility is particularly useful for busy families, or when a physical examination is not required.
What's covered
- Review of blood tests, imaging, or other results
- Treatment plan review & update
- Ongoing condition monitoring
- Prescription review & renewal
- Referral letters to specialists
- School or nursery letters
- Face-to-face, video, or telephone
- Continuity with your regular consultant
Book this if… you are an existing patient needing to review results, update a management plan, or continue treatment for a known condition. Not suitable for new concerns — book an Initial Consultation instead.
Book this appointmentImmunisation
Vaccination Consultation
Review & administration · In person · £170
Our vaccination appointments are led by a consultant paediatrician — not a nurse. We begin with a review of your child's immunisation record to identify any gaps, late doses, or vaccines they may have missed. The doctor will then discuss options and administer the appropriate vaccines at the same appointment.
We offer all UK routine childhood vaccines, catch-up vaccines, travel vaccines (including typhoid, hepatitis A, and rabies), and additional vaccines such as meningococcal ACWY, chickenpox (varicella), and rotavirus. We can also advise on the best schedule for your child's specific circumstances.
What's covered
- Immunisation record review
- UK routine childhood vaccines
- Catch-up & missed vaccines
- Travel vaccines (typhoid, hep A, rabies, etc.)
- Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Personalised vaccination schedule
- Post-vaccination advice & aftercare
Book this if… your child needs routine, catch-up, or travel vaccines — or if you'd like an expert review of their immunisation history with a consultant paediatrician rather than a nurse-led service.
Insurance patients — important. Most UK private health insurers do not cover vaccination appointments for vaccines that are available free on the NHS, which includes the majority of routine childhood vaccines. Patients holding UK-based policies (Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, Allianz and others) should not expect reimbursement for standard immunisations. If you hold an international or global health policy, your cover may differ — please check directly with your insurer before booking.
Quick comparison
Not sure which to book?
If you are unsure, call us and we will help you choose. As a general guide — any new concern should be an Initial Consultation; anything ongoing can be a Follow-Up.
Well-Child / Initial
New patients; new health concerns; comprehensive health review; first visit with us.
45 min · £320
Newborn Review
Babies 0–6 weeks: feeding, weight, jaundice, developmental checks, parent reassurance.
45 min · £320
Follow-Up
Existing patients: results review, ongoing conditions, treatment plan updates.
30 min · £260
Vaccination
Routine, catch-up, or travel vaccines; immunisation record review.
Review & admin · £170
Common questions
Appointment FAQ
What type of appointment should I book for my child's first visit?
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What type of appointment should I book for my child's first visit?
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If this is your child's first appointment with us, or if you have a new health concern that hasn't been assessed before, book a Well-Child / Initial Consultation (45 minutes, £320). This gives the doctor enough time for a thorough history, physical examination, and personalised health plan. If your baby is under six weeks old, the Newborn Review is the right choice.
Will my private health insurance cover a well-child check or newborn review?
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Will my private health insurance cover a well-child check or newborn review?
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In most cases, no — for any of our appointment types. The majority of UK private health insurers — including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, and Allianz — classify well-child checks and newborn reviews as preventative care, which is explicitly excluded from standard policies. Vaccination appointments for vaccines available free on the NHS are not reimbursed by UK-based insurers; international or global policies may differ. Follow-up consultations for an already diagnosed condition may be covered by some UK policies. We strongly recommend contacting your insurer before any appointment. If your policy does cover your appointment: for Cigna, Aetna and Allianz you pay our self-pay fee and claim reimbursement from your insurer; for other insurers we bill directly. Where your insurer requires pre-authorisation, please have it in place before the appointment. If your policy does not cover the cost, self-pay pricing is available to all patients — no authorisation code or referral letter is required, and booking self-pay has no impact on any future insurance claim. Questions? Email [email protected].
Do I need a GP referral?
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Do I need a GP referral?
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No referral is required for self-pay patients. You can book directly online or by calling 020 3633 2915. If you are using private health insurance, check your policy — some insurers require a GP referral before they will cover the consultation.
Can I book a follow-up by video or phone?
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Can I book a follow-up by video or phone?
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Yes — follow-up consultations can take place face-to-face at our clinic, by video call, or by telephone. The fee is the same (£260 for 30 minutes) regardless of format. Initial consultations, newborn reviews, and vaccination appointments are conducted in person as they require a physical examination.
How do I know if my concern needs an initial or follow-up appointment?
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How do I know if my concern needs an initial or follow-up appointment?
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As a general rule: if the concern is new and hasn't been assessed by us before, book an Initial Consultation. If we have already seen your child for this issue and you need to discuss results or continue management, book a Follow-Up. If you are unsure, call us on 020 3633 2915 and we will advise you.
What should I bring to my child's appointment?
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What should I bring to my child's appointment?
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For initial and newborn appointments, please bring your child's Red Book (Personal Child Health Record) if you have it, along with any previous medical letters, test results, or relevant documentation. For vaccination appointments, bring your child's immunisation record or any vaccination certificates. You do not need to bring anything for a follow-up — we will have your child's record on file.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
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How quickly can I get an appointment?
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Same-week appointments are often available. For urgent concerns, please call us directly on 020 3633 2915 and we will do our best to see your child as soon as possible. For routine well-child checks and non-urgent appointments, you can book online at a time that suits you.
Will my child see a consultant paediatrician or a nurse?
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Will my child see a consultant paediatrician or a nurse?
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Every appointment — including vaccination consultations — is led by one of our consultant paediatricians. Dr Martin Gray and Dr Margarita Burmester both hold the FRCPCH fellowship and have over 30 years of experience each. Your child will never be seen by a registrar or a nurse practitioner for their primary consultation.
Ready to get started?
Join the families who trust Bright Futures Health for comprehensive, preventative paediatric care. Same-week appointments typically available.
Sophie Underwood, our Practice Manager, is on hand to answer any questions before or after your appointment. Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 · [email protected] · Response within one working day. 3 London locations plus video consultations.