Common childhood conditions we see
Children’s health covers a wide range — from the everyday bugs that every kid picks up at daycare to chronic conditions that need ongoing management. Here’s what we see most often at Southport Metro.
👂 Ear infections
One of the most common reasons parents bring young children in. Ear infections often follow a cold and can cause significant pain and irritability. Most resolve on their own but some need antibiotics — your GP can examine the ear and advise.
🤧 Colds and respiratory infections
Young children can have up to 12 colds a year as their immune systems develop. Most get better with rest and fluids at home — but a GP check is worth it if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or you’re worried about something more serious.
🫁 Asthma
Asthma affects around 1 in 9 Australian children and is the leading cause of disease burden in school-aged kids. If your child has a persistent cough, wheeze, or difficulty breathing — especially at night or after exercise — it’s worth getting assessed.
🌿 Allergies and hay fever
Food allergies, environmental allergies, and hay fever are all increasingly common in Australian children. Hay fever affects around 13% of children and can impact sleep and school performance. Your GP can assess, manage, and refer for allergy testing when needed.
🧴 Eczema and skin conditions
Eczema is a common chronic skin condition in children that often appears alongside asthma and allergies. Managing it well involves a consistent skincare routine and prescription creams when needed. We’ll help you work out what’s triggering flares.
🤢 Gastro and tummy bugs
Gastroenteritis is common in young children and spreads easily in childcare and school settings. The main concern is dehydration — your GP can assess whether your child is coping at home or needs further treatment.
🧠 Children’s mental health
Anxiety affects around 8.6% of Australian children and is the leading mental health burden in 5 to 14 year olds. If your child is struggling with worry, school refusal, mood changes, or behavioural difficulties, a GP is a good first port of call.
🍽️ Growth, development and weight
Concerns about a child’s growth, development milestones, or weight are common and worth raising with a GP. We can assess, monitor, refer to a paediatrician if needed, and connect you with our onsite dietitian for nutrition support.
Worried about your child but not sure if it warrants a visit? Trust your gut — we’re open 7 days and happy to take a look.
Book an appointmentWhen to seek urgent help
Most childhood illnesses are mild and manageable at home. But there are signs that mean you shouldn’t wait — go straight to emergency or call 000 if your child has any of these.
- Difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast
- Blue, pale, or mottled skin
- Severe drowsiness — hard to wake or unusually unresponsive
- A rash that doesn’t fade when you press it with a glass
- A seizure for the first time, or one lasting more than 5 minutes
- Signs of severe dehydration — no wet nappies for 8 hours, sunken eyes, very dry mouth
- A fever in a baby under 3 months old
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
If something just doesn’t feel right — trust your instincts. Parents know their children. When in doubt, get it checked.
Not an emergency but still worried? We’re open 7 days including weekends. No referral needed.
Book todayImmunisations — free, on time, on schedule
Immunisations are one of the most important things you can do for your child’s health. All vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule are free for children who are eligible for Medicare. Here’s a summary of the key schedule points.
| Age | Vaccines due |
|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B |
| 2 months | Six-in-one (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio, Hib), pneumococcal, rotavirus |
| 4 months | Six-in-one, pneumococcal, rotavirus |
| 6 months | Six-in-one, pneumococcal |
| 12 months | MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal |
| 18 months | Chickenpox, MMR booster, Hib booster |
| 4 years | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio booster |
| Year 7 | HPV, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough booster, meningococcal ACWY booster |
🆕 New for 2026 — needle-free flu vaccine for kids
FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine, is now available in Australia for children aged 2 to 17. It’s given as a spray into each nostril instead of a needle — a welcome option for kids who are anxious about injections.
In Queensland, FluMist is free for eligible children through the state program. Ask our GPs or nurses at your next visit whether your child qualifies.
Not sure if your child’s immunisations are up to date? We can check the Australian Immunisation Register and catch you up.
Book an immunisation appointmentBehind on immunisations?
Life gets in the way. Illness, moving house, travelling overseas — there are lots of reasons children fall behind on vaccines. The good news is catch-up vaccines are funded under the NIP for children up to age 19, and your GP can design a schedule that brings your child up to date as quickly as safely possible.
We can check your child’s record on the Australian Immunisation Register, identify any gaps, and put together a catch-up plan. It usually takes a few appointments rather than one — because specific intervals between doses need to be followed — but we’ll make it as straightforward as possible.
No Jab, No Pay — what parents need to know
- Family Tax Benefit Part A and the Child Care Subsidy are linked to your child’s immunisation status
- To receive the full rate of these payments, children must be fully immunised for their age or have an approved medical exemption
- Queensland also has a No Jab, No Play policy — childcare services can exclude unvaccinated children if there’s an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease
- Your GP can submit vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register on your behalf
Need to get your child’s immunisation history statement for childcare or school enrolment? We can print one at the clinic.
Book an appointmentMedicare health checks for children
Medicare funds a series of health checks for children at key developmental stages. These are designed to pick up concerns early — with development, growth, hearing, vision, and behaviour — and are bulk billed at Southport Metro.
0 to 4 years
Early childhood health assessments covering growth, development milestones, hearing, vision, and immunisation status
Before school
Pre-school check to identify any concerns before your child starts school — development, behaviour, hearing, vision, and immunisations
School age
Ongoing health reviews for school-aged children including asthma management plans, ADHD assessment, and mental health support
What our GPs can do for your child
At Southport Metro, our GPs provide comprehensive care for children of all ages:
- Routine and catch-up immunisations under the National Immunisation Program
- Diagnosis and management of common childhood illnesses — ear infections, colds, gastro, skin conditions, and more
- Asthma assessment, action plans, and ongoing management
- Allergy assessment and referral for allergy testing
- ADHD assessment and management — including referrals and medication review
- Children’s mental health support and Mental Health Treatment Plans
- Growth and developmental assessments
- Medicare-funded health checks at key ages
- Referrals to paediatricians and specialists when needed
- Coordination with our onsite dietitian for feeding concerns, food allergies, and weight management
- Medical certificates for school absences
Looking for a regular GP for your child? We’d love to be your family’s go-to clinic. Book online or give us a call.
Book with us todayRelated services at our clinic
Your kids deserve a GP who knows them
We look after the whole family — from newborns to grandparents. Open 7 days at Australia Fair Metro, Southport. No referral needed.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this page is intended as general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child’s health situation is different — please consult one of our GPs or a qualified health professional before making decisions about your child’s health. If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 immediately. Southport Metro Medical Centre makes every effort to ensure the information on this page is current and accurate, but health guidelines and recommendations can change. Last reviewed June 2026.