If you feel your concerns about your child’s care are not being heard, you can ask for another discussion or review. You may also seek a second opinion if you remain unsure about the diagnosis or treatment.
Your child’s healthcare should involve clear communication and shared decisions. If you cannot resolve your concerns, you can consider another team or the appropriate NHS or private complaints process.
Start by Identifying Exactly What You’re Unhappy About
Before deciding what to do, think about what specifically concerns you about your child’s care. You may be unsure about the diagnosis, tests, treatment or how your child’s symptoms are affecting school and daily life.
Communication or administrative issues can also leave you frustrated. Write down your main questions before the appointment so you can explain what worries you and understand whether your concern has been addressed.
Should You Speak to the Paediatrician First?
In many cases, talking directly to your child’s paediatrician can clear up misunderstandings. You can explain what concerns you, ask why a diagnosis or treatment was chosen, and discuss other possible options.
If you do not understand the reasoning, you can ask for a clearer explanation without feeling that you are challenging the doctor. Your conversation may reassure you that the plan is appropriate or help you decide whether your child needs a review or second opinion.
What Questions Can Help Clarify a Diagnosis?
If you are unsure about your child’s diagnosis, ask what your paediatrician thinks is most likely and what evidence supports it. You can also ask which other conditions have been considered and what the test results mean.
If you notice new or worsening symptoms, tell your doctor. You can ask what changes would make them reconsider your child’s diagnosis or treatment plan.
What If You Disagree with the Treatment Plan?
You may find that more than one treatment is medically reasonable for your child’s condition. You can ask your paediatrician about the expected benefits, risks and alternatives, and why one option is recommended for your child.
If you remain unsure, you can ask for time to consider the options or seek another opinion when appropriate. Do not change or stop your child’s medicine yourself; speak to a healthcare professional so you can make any changes safely.
What If Your Child Is Not Getting Better?
If your child’s symptoms continue despite treatment, you may understandably wonder whether the diagnosis or care plan needs another look. You can discuss what has improved, what has stayed the same and any new symptoms with your paediatrician so they can decide what should happen next.
- Review Ongoing Symptoms: Tell your paediatrician which symptoms are continuing and how they are affecting your child’s daily life.
- Track Any Changes: You can keep a simple symptom diary to record whether symptoms are improving, worsening or appearing in a new pattern.
- Discuss the Treatment Response: Ask whether your child’s medicine, dose or treatment plan needs reviewing if the expected improvement has not occurred.
- Mention New Concerns: Let your paediatrician know about any new or worsening symptoms, as these may change the assessment or next steps.
- Consider a Second Opinion: If symptoms remain unexplained or several treatments have not helped, you can ask whether another paediatric opinion would be useful.
Persistent symptoms do not automatically mean that something serious has been missed, but they may justify reassessing your child’s condition and treatment. Keeping your paediatrician updated can help you understand whether your child needs further tests, a change in treatment or specialist review.
Which Next Step May Fit Your Concern?
| Your concern | A useful first step |
| You do not understand the diagnosis or plan | Ask the paediatrician to explain the reasoning, alternatives and next steps |
| Symptoms continue or the diagnosis remains uncertain | Ask whether review, further investigation or a second opinion is appropriate |
| A clinic letter or record appears incorrect | Ask the service to clarify or correct inaccurate factual information |
| Communication or administration is the main problem | Contact the clinical team or, for NHS hospital care in England, PALS for help resolving the issue. |
| You want to change NHS clinician | Discuss options with the clinical team or GP, or PALS if your child is receiving NHS hospital care. |
| Your child is becoming acutely unwell | Seek medical help first; do not wait for the complaints process |
Should You Ask to Review Test Results and Clinic Letters?
Yes. You can ask your paediatrician to explain your child’s test results in clear, everyday language and what they mean for their care. You can also ask for clinic letters if you have not received them.
If you notice an incorrect medicine, symptom or diagnosis in your child’s records, you can contact the service for clarification. You do not need to assume every difference in wording is a serious error.
Do You Have a Right to a Second Opinion?
In routine NHS care, you do not have an automatic legal right to a second opinion, but you can ask your child’s paediatrician or GP to discuss or arrange one. In practice, a request will often be considered when another opinion may help clarify the diagnosis or treatment options.
If you seek another opinion, explain what you want the specialist to review. You may receive the same advice, a modified plan or a different view, so you should focus on understanding which option is best for your child.
Can You Request Your Child’s Medical Records?
Yes, but access to a child’s medical records depends partly on their age, maturity and ability to understand their information rights. If your child is not considered competent to make their own request and you have parental responsibility, you can usually request records on their behalf, although the healthcare organisation must still consider your child’s privacy and best interests.
As your child becomes mature enough to understand their information rights, their consent and confidentiality may become central to whether records can be shared with you or another person. If you are requesting records for another specialist, ask which letters, results or scans they actually need.
Clinical Tip
Keep a short written timeline of appointments, symptoms, test results, treatment changes and the concerns you have raised. Before speaking to the paediatrician or making a complaint, decide what you would like to happen next, such as a clearer explanation, correction of inaccurate information, treatment review or second opinion.
When Is a Second Paediatric Opinion Appropriate?
A second opinion can help if your child’s diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms continue or you are unsure about important treatment options. You can ask another paediatrician to review the diagnosis, test results and treatment plan.
Seeking another opinion does not mean your first paediatrician was wrong. You can use the second opinion to understand your child’s options more clearly and decide on the next step with greater confidence.
What Should You Expect After Making an NHS Complaint?
After you make a formal NHS complaint in England, you should receive an acknowledgement and an offer to discuss how your complaint will be handled within three working days. You can then expect a written response explaining the findings once the investigation is complete.
You should check whether the response answers your main concerns. If you are still unhappy after completing the local NHS process, you can ask the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to consider your complaint.
What If the Main Problem Is Poor Communication?
You do not always need to change your child’s paediatrician after one confusing or rushed appointment. You can first explain what you need, such as clearer explanations, written information or a simple treatment plan.
You should leave with as clear an understanding as possible of your child’s working diagnosis or what remains uncertain, the treatment plan, follow-up and when to seek further help. If several specialists are involved, you can also ask who is coordinating your child’s care and who you should contact with new concerns.
Can You Change Your Child’s Paediatrician?
If you no longer feel comfortable with your child’s paediatrician, you can discuss changing clinicians or seeking a fresh assessment. In private care, this may be simpler, while NHS options depend on the service and referral pathway.
You should make sure your child’s records, test results and treatment details are transferred so care continues safely. If your child is already under an NHS paediatric service, you can speak to the clinical team, PALS or your GP about whether another clinician or a fresh referral may be possible.
When Should You Contact PALS?
If your child is receiving NHS hospital care in England, you can contact PALS when you need help resolving a concern informally. You may find it useful for communication problems, follow-up issues or understanding which department to contact.
PALS can help with information, communication and resolving concerns, but it is not a substitute for a clinical assessment or independent medical opinion. If you cannot resolve your concern, you can consider the NHS formal complaints process or complaints advocacy for further support.
How Do You Make a Formal NHS Complaint?
You have the right to complain about your child’s NHS care in England. You can usually complain either to the NHS provider directly or to the organisation that commissioned the service, but you cannot make the same complaint to both. For most local NHS services in England, the commissioner is your local integrated care board (ICB).
When you complain, explain what happened, when it happened and what outcome you want. You should normally complain within 12 months, although this can sometimes be extended for a valid reason. If you are making a complaint on your child’s behalf, the service may also need to consider your child’s age, ability to understand the complaint and whether their consent or other authority is needed before sharing information with you.
UK Guidance Note
In England, NHS complaints are normally made within 12 months of the event or of you becoming aware of the issue. You can usually complain either to the healthcare provider or the commissioner of the service. For most local NHS care, the commissioner is the local integrated care board. You should receive an acknowledgement and an offer to discuss how the complaint will be handled within three working days.
What If Your Child’s Care Is Private?
If your child’s care was privately funded, start with the hospital, clinic or healthcare provider’s own complaints procedure. Ask for a copy of their complaints policy and explain clearly what happened and what outcome you are seeking.
If the complaint remains unresolved, check whether the provider subscribes to the Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS). ISCAS can provide independent adjudication after the provider’s local complaints stages have been completed. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman does not investigate purely privately funded healthcare, although NHS-funded treatment delivered by a private provider follows the NHS complaints route.
When Should a Concern Be Raised with the GMC?
The GMC regulates doctors in the UK, but you would not normally contact it for every disagreement with your child’s paediatrician. If you disagree with a diagnosis, treatment decision or communication, you can usually raise this with the healthcare service or seek a second opinion.
You may consider contacting the GMC if you believe a doctor’s behaviour, health or performance could pose a serious risk to patient safety or public confidence in the medical profession. The GMC can then decide whether the concern falls within its regulatory role.
When Should You Act Urgently Instead of Following the Complaints Process?
A complaint, second opinion or change of paediatrician should never delay urgent care. If your child’s condition is worsening, seek appropriate medical help first rather than waiting for a complaint or second opinion to be resolved. Contact their healthcare team, GP or NHS 111 for urgent advice where appropriate, and call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.
You can address concerns about previous care afterwards. If you attend another service, make sure you provide details of your child’s diagnosis, medicines, allergies and recent investigations so the team can treat your child safely.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
| Asking for a second opinion means you are accusing the first paediatrician of being wrong. | No. A second opinion can help you understand an uncertain diagnosis or compare reasonable treatment options. |
| Parents automatically have unrestricted access to all of a child’s medical records. | No. Access rights belong to the child, and their age, maturity, consent and best interests may affect what can be disclosed. |
| PALS provides an independent medical diagnosis. | No. PALS helps with information, communication and resolving NHS concerns but does not replace clinical assessment. |
| You must complain to both the NHS provider and commissioner. | No. You can normally choose one route for the same complaint rather than complaining to both. |
| A GMC complaint is the normal route for every disagreement with a doctor. | No. Service complaints and disagreements over treatment should usually go through the provider or NHS complaints process; the GMC deals with concerns that may affect fitness to practise or patient safety. |
| Making a complaint should come before urgent treatment. | No. If your child is becoming seriously unwell, seek appropriate medical help first. |
Key Takeaways
- Start by identifying whether your concern is about communication, diagnosis, treatment, records or the way the service has managed your child’s care.
- Ask your child’s paediatrician for a clearer explanation before assuming the treatment or diagnosis is wrong.
- A second opinion can be useful when a diagnosis or treatment remains uncertain, although there is no automatic legal right to one in routine NHS care.
- Access to a child’s medical records depends partly on the child’s maturity, confidentiality and information rights.
- PALS can help resolve concerns informally about NHS hospital care in England.
- Formal NHS complaints are normally made within 12 months and should be acknowledged within three working days.
- Private healthcare complaints follow the provider’s own process and may be eligible for independent ISCAS adjudication.
- Urgent medical care should never be delayed while you pursue a complaint or second opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should you prepare before raising concerns about your child’s care?
Write down your main concerns, when they started and any relevant symptoms, test results or treatment changes. It can also help to decide what you want from the discussion, such as a clearer explanation, treatment review, correction of inaccurate information or a second opinion.
2. Should you speak to your child’s paediatrician before seeking another opinion?
In many cases, speaking to your child’s paediatrician first can help clear up misunderstandings. You can ask why a particular diagnosis or treatment was chosen and discuss whether another approach or review may be appropriate.
3. When should you consider a second opinion for your child?
You may consider a second opinion if your child’s diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms continue despite treatment or you are unsure about important treatment options. You can ask another paediatrician to review your child’s diagnosis, test results and treatment plan.
4. What should you arrange if your child changes paediatricians?
Make sure relevant clinic letters, test results, current medicines and treatment information are available to your child’s new paediatrician. This can help maintain continuity of care and reduce the risk of important information being missed during the transfer.
5. Can you ask your paediatrician to explain your child’s test results?
Yes, you can ask your paediatrician to explain your child’s test results in clear, everyday language. You can also ask for relevant clinic letters and clarification if you notice information in your child’s records that appears incorrect.
6. When might your child’s consent be needed to access their medical records?
You may be able to request your child’s medical records, but access depends on their age, maturity and ability to understand their information rights. If your child is competent to exercise these rights themselves, their consent or authorisation may be needed before information is disclosed to you.
7. What can you do if your child’s paediatrician is not communicating clearly?
You can explain what you need, such as clearer explanations, written information or a straightforward treatment plan. If several specialists are involved, you can also ask who is coordinating your child’s care and who you should contact with new concerns.
8. What is the difference between PALS and a formal NHS complaint?
PALS can often help resolve concerns informally, such as communication, follow-up or difficulties contacting the right NHS hospital team. If the issue cannot be resolved informally or you want it formally investigated, you can use the NHS complaints procedure instead.
9. What information should you include in an NHS complaint?
Explain what happened, when it happened, which service was involved and why you are concerned. Include any relevant correspondence and clearly state what outcome you would like, such as an explanation, correction, apology or review of the care provided.
10. Should you complain if your child’s condition is getting worse?
No complaint, second opinion or change of paediatrician should delay urgent medical care. If your child’s condition is worsening, contact their healthcare team, GP or NHS 111 for urgent advice where appropriate, and call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Your Child’s Care
If you’re unhappy with your child’s paediatrician, you can start by discussing your concerns and asking for clearer information about their care. If you remain unsure, a second opinion or change of specialist may help you feel more confident about the next steps.
If you’re considering a paediatrician in London, you can get in touch with us at London Paediatric Clinic.
References:
- General Medical Council (GMC) (no date) Domain 2: Patients, partnership and communication. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/good-medical-practice/domain-2-patients-partnership-and-communication
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (2026) Changing your NHS hospital doctor or asking for a second opinion. Approved 24 July 2026. Available at: https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/changing-your-nhs-hospital-doctor-or-asking-second-opinion
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) (2026) A guide to subject access. Updated 16 July 2026. Available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/subject-access-requests/a-guide-to-subject-access/
- NHS England (no date) Feedback and complaints about NHS services. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/feedback-and-complaints/complaint/
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) (no date) What to do before you come to us. Available at: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/making-complaint/before-you-come-to-us
- General Medical Council (GMC) (no date) Raise a concern. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/raise-a-concern
- Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS) (no date) What we can do. Available at: https://iscas.org.uk/patients/what-we-can-do/