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.
Jump to an appointment type:
Well-Child / Initial Consultation
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.
Book this appointmentWhat'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.
Newborn Review
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.
Book this appointmentWhat'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.
Follow-Up Consultation
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.
Book this appointmentWhat'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.
Vaccination Consultation
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.
Book this appointmentWhat'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. This 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.
| Appointment type | Best for… | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Still not sure? Call us and we'll point you in the right direction — no commitment needed.
Common questions
Appointments — FAQ
Well-child checks and newborn reviews: The majority of UK private health insurers — including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, and Allianz — classify these as preventative care, which is explicitly excluded from standard policies. Please check directly with your insurer before booking.
Vaccination appointments: UK-based insurers will not reimburse vaccination appointments for vaccines that are available free on the NHS, which includes most of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. If you hold an international or global health insurance policy, your cover may differ — but please confirm before booking.
Follow-up consultations for an already diagnosed condition may be covered by some UK policies — again, confirm with your insurer in advance and check whether a GP referral is required.
We strongly recommend contacting your insurer before any 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.
Ready to Get Started?
Join the families who trust Bright Futures Health for comprehensive, preventative paediatric care. Same-week appointments typically available.
Contact Us
Sophie Underwood, our Practice Manager, is on hand to answer any questions before or after your appointment. Meet Sophie →
