Moving abroad with children brings countless questions about their healthcare. One concern stands out for American families relocating to the UK: Will my child continue to receive the same quality preventive care they had back home?
Familiar Care in a Foreign Land
The excitement of an international move can quickly be tempered by practical concerns, particularly regarding children’s healthcare. Many American parents are surprised to discover that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), while excellent in many respects, follows different preventive care schedules and vaccination protocols than those recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and regular health screening tends to be focused on the first year of life.
When we first moved to London, I was confused about how to access a paediatrician compared to what we were used to in Boston,” says Jennifer Martinez, mother of two elementary-aged children. “The timing was different, the screenings were different—it felt like we missed important check-ups our paediatrician had always emphasised.
Jennifer’s experience is common among American expatriates in the UK. Bright Futures Health aims to fill this healthcare gap.
American Standards, British Location
Bright Futures Health provides a unique service for American families in the UK: comprehensive well-child visits that strictly follow the AAP’s Periodicity Schedule—the gold standard for preventive paediatric care in the United States.
“We recognised that American families want continuity in their children’s healthcare when relocating,” explains Dr. Margarita Burmester, paediatrician at Bright Futures Health. “Our practice follows the same preventive care schedule recommended by the AAP, ensuring your child receives all the check-ups, screenings, and developmental assessments they would receive from their paediatrician back home.”
These well-child visits include:
- Comprehensive physical examinations
- Developmental and behavioural screening
- Access to full diagnostics and hearing screening
- Growth monitoring with the WHO standard growth charts
- Age-appropriate guidance on nutrition, safety, and development
Bridging the Vaccination Gap
Another significant difference between the US and UK healthcare systems is their immunisation schedules. Several vaccines routinely administered in the United States are not part of the standard NHS schedule, and vice versa, leaving many American children with incomplete protection by US standards when they return home and lacking completeness by UK and European standards.
Bright Futures Health offers “top-up” immunisations for these gaps, including:
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccines
- Additional pneumococcal vaccine doses
- Other vaccines recommended by the AAP but not routinely provided by the NHS
This service is particularly valuable for families who plan to eventually return to the United States or travel frequently between countries.
Supporting Your Family’s Transition
For families like the Wilsons, who relocated from Chicago to London last year, Bright Futures Health provided much-needed peace of mind during their transition.
“Having a doctor who understands both systems and could explain the differences was invaluable,” says Michael Wilson. “Our kids’ medical records remain compatible with US standards, which makes everything easier for school requirements and when we visit family doctors during trips home.”
The practice also holds AAP licences for its documentation, maintaining comprehensive electronic health records that integrate with US systems. This provides seamless documentation for schools, camps, and future healthcare providers.
Planning Your Move to the UK?
Bright Futures Health recommends that families book an initial consultation shortly after arriving in the UK. During this visit, their team will:
- Review your child’s medical history and immunisation records
- Identify any gaps in care based on AAP recommendations
- Create a personalised care plan for your child
- Address any questions about navigating the UK healthcare system
“Moving countries is stressful enough without worrying about your children’s healthcare,” says Dr. Gray, paediatrician at Bright Futures Health. “We’re here to ensure that at least that part of your transition is smooth and stress-free.”
To book an appointment or learn more about services for American families, visit Bright Futures Health or call +442036332915. New patient appointments are currently available with minimal wait times.
Bright Futures Health operates from various locations in London and serves American and international families throughout the Greater London area.
