In Toeing clinics in Walton-on-Thames, Elmbridge (2 results)

The doctor was extremely helpful and took my baby son's health issues seriously, and the nurses very kind and cheerful. My slightly negative review entirely concerns the environment at what I had understood to be a private clinic devoted to paediatrics and thus to children. In the United States and Germany, which are the countries from which my husband and I are from originally, the most average and even mediocre paediatrician would create an environment in their waiting and consultation rooms that is inviting for children--with toys, books and so on. In Berlin, where my son (19 months) was born, his paediatrician (a quite 'standard' pediatrician who served state-funded patients) had a puppet theatre in her waiting room and a play house in her office. Everything was set up to put children at ease, especially small children and babies who find doctor's offices terrifying. In light of this background, I was totally shocked that there was no waiting room at all--let alone a child-friendly one--nor a single child-conducive object in the entire consultation area which we saw, which had a very cold and clinical feel about it. The nurses and doctors were concerned that my son was so upset to have simple checks made upon him, but I think this resistance was partly down to the whole environment of the practice, which would be terrifying for a baby of his age. I really think it is imperative that a paediatricians office be set up differently to an office for adult care--in a more inviting and calming way, with toys, books, games, or whatever, which will make the children who go there feel this is a safe space. You cannot expect a child to just 'comply with healthcare professionals' as the doctor put it when the entire environment is not conducive to this. Babies are not adults and a paediatrician's office should be designed accordingly!