GP or Paed.....What would you do?

@Elamsmom: We're also not sickly but initially found Gp, in PTA though, and I must say that he's been very good to us. If I 'm in a predicament I can call his mobile, leave a mess and he'll call me back.

When family visits, and w ehave oumas and oupas who need a doc from time to time, we even take them to see him. So I guess, its def worth finding someone that you trust and that you know will be honest.

Goodluck in finding one.

I decided to take my lg to the GP seeing how much a consult cost at the Paed. It works well for me. If it is something major the gp will be the one to say go see the Paed, otherwise gp has been helpfull for me.

@Le-Andre: I thought as much. In any case, I think specialists were originally meant for things GP's could diagnose then you get referred to a specialist.

Ok...now for finding a GP. We've never been sickly and are not originally from Jhb but live here now so we don't have a "family GP" here yet...

Anyone have recommendations for good GP's in Jhb Northern suburbs? (Charnenay, not trying to hijack you post! )

I have a great GP and we have been with her for years. My LG has been sick once (over a weekend as murphy would have it) the peads we knew we off so we took LG to see her. She was so good with C and gave her meds but no antibiotics, she even called the next 3 days to hear how things were going. So next time I'll go to her first before going to a pead (for the little things)

So I guess its how happy you are with your GP.

I have recently taken the GP route, as Paeds are expensive. This worked out quite well as he will tell you immediately that you need to see your Paed. But this only happened once. Although, we've been with the same Gp for almost 10yrs, and we trust him. He's man enough to say that he doesn't know what's up so seek a second opinion with the Paed.

This has also helped not to exhaust Med. Aid too soon

Well, seeing as your Pead is not available untill Monday and I'm sure you would like to be able to get some sleep over the weekend, I would take her to the GP.

If it is a ear infection and it has not improved when Monday comes around, take her to the Pead along with the meds the GP prescribed.

I would make an appointment at the Pead for Monday and if it is not necessary then just cancel it on Monday morning.

Charnenay: I have always taken my LG to a paed but many ppl have told me it is unneccessary expense esp. if it is not anything critical. I've been told to take her to a GP next time for issues like ear infections or flu's or coughs etc.

so, no advice from me but I would also really like to know if the GP route has worked for others cos I wouldn't mind saving my medical aid savings cos these paeds are really expensive!!! (mine is about R6000-R700 a consultation!!!)