Prompt-Response Appointments
Our Prompt-Response Appointments are specifically reserved for children who are unwell and need to be seen by a Paediatrician within 5 days or less. This service is designed to provide paediatric appointments for urgent, non-critical issues, giving you direct access to specialist care without a trip to A&E or your GP.
All appointments are with Consultant Paediatrician Felicity Taylor, who will complete a full assessment and present a treatment plan to get your child back to health as quickly as possible.
Useful information about Prompt-Response Appointments
- For children from birth to 17 years inclusive by prior appointment only
- Available onsite only at Harpenden Medical and can be booked online or by calling 01582 291828. In the event you cannot find a suitable appointment time, the friendly reception team will assist you with further information
- Appointments cost £180 and are payable in clinic following your appointment (card only). Prompt-Response Appointments cannot be funded by health insurance. Any additional charges, such as the cost of any extra tests, will be discussed with you in advance. Any required prescriptions will be included as part of the appointment fee (which will be fillable on a private prescription basis)
- The appointment length for this service is 20 minutes
We can treat and manage a number of medical conditions
*we are unable to treat suspected broken bones
Due to our specific clinical environment we are unable to treat:
Please be aware this type of appointment is not for the following:
Please phone 999 immediately if you believe you have a medical emergency, we cannot offer services for emergency concerns.
Book a Prompt-Response Appointment
For more complex or chronic problems, or when you would like more time to discuss a number of issues, please book a General Paediatric Appointment.
If you would like your baby or child to receive a comprehensive medical check-up with time for detailed discussion and advice, then a well-baby or well-child check up (60 minutes) would be most suitable.
A hassle-free direct route to specialist paediatric care
This service is an efficient alternative to an Accident & Emergency or GP visit, allowing you to book your appointment online at the click of a button.
This gives you the reassurance and security of knowing when you and your child will be seen and by whom.
No more lengthy waiting times, no more uncertainty – a hassle-free direct route to specialist paediatric medical care.
With consultations available throughout the day, you can book an appointment that works for you and get back to your usual routine as soon as possible. Plus, with our easy online appointment system, you’re in full control and can book online at your convenience.
You will receive instant confirmation of your face to face appointment via email, followed by an online registration form to complete in advance of your appointment. This way Felicity has all this information prior to your arrival and you can maximise your time during the consultation.
If you need an urgent appointment and you’re struggling to find one, simply call Harpenden Medical on 01582 291828 and the team will assist you.
If anything changes or you become concerned following your consultation, you can easily make another appointment with the assurance you will be seen by the same health professional.
She was quick to respond to any communication both from ourselves and other services.
Parent testimonial
She has the most phenomenal ability to instantly put you at ease, explaining everything clearly and simply, and giving you the utmost confidence in the chosen course of action.
Parent testimonial
Bringing world-class paediatric care to the Harpenden and St Albans area
Receive expert treatment from a Consultant Paediatrician from the outset and build a trusting relationship with your local healthcare partner who works with families using a partnership-based approach.
You can find reassurance in seeing the same Doctor whenever you need medical help and you won’t need to tell different people the same information repeatedly.
As part of an extensive network of experts within the world of paediatrics, Felicity will also help you and your family find the right healthcare professional quickly if onward referral is required.
Access to the latest innovations in point-of-care testing, including strep throat and CRP, is also part of Felicity’s practice. There is no extra charge for urine and blood glucose tests, and any further tests that are required will be arranged for you.
A CRP test is a simple blood test that can check your C-reactive protein (CRP) level. CRP is a protein made by the liver and the level of CRP increases when there’s inflammation in the body. Source: mayoclinic.org
Electronically sent results, referral letters and post-appointment treatment plans also mean reduced waiting, no chasing and far less room for error.
If you do have any queries or questions however the friendly team at Harpenden Medical are there to help by calling 01582 291828 during office hours.
Paediatrician. Mother. Your Healthcare Partner.
With over 17 years of experience in frontline NHS care, Felicity understands the frustrations parents can experience when seeking healthcare for their children. She has extensive expertise in navigating the complexities of healthcare systems, partnering with families to help them to access the investigations and treatment they need, fast.
Felicity’s NHS Consultant practice is at the world-renowned Evelina Children’s Hospital in London, where she works in the specialist Children’s Emergency Department and Children’s Short-Stay unit, diagnosing, treating, and managing patients from birth to 17 years.
As a mother of three young children, Felicity understands how worrisome and disruptive to family life an unwell baby, child or young person can be.
Providing direct access to specialist care and a Consultant Paediatrician you will see Felicity at every appointment, allowing you to build a personal and trust-based relationship and outsource your anxiety and worry to a trusted professional.
With extensive contacts within the paediatric sphere, Felicity will help you find the right specialist quickly if onward referral is required. If preferred, Felicity can also provide you with a comprehensive plan to take back to discuss with your NHS family practitioner.
She has guided us expertly through several issues, and we will be forever grateful for her advice and support throughout what has been a challenging time.
Parent testimonial
A child-centric clinic in every way
The Children’s Clinic is a friendly child-centric environment designed to help reduce stress and anxiety for both the child and their parent or carer.
Our aim is to make each healthcare interaction a happy one, so that children don’t fear medical environments.
Tailored for children, we have toys for varying ages and child-friendly equipment such as Buzzy, perfect for little ones with a fear of needles.
We also have access to a specialist phlebotomy service for instances when blood tests are a challenge.
Phlebotomy is the process of taking blood from a vein or capillary, using a needle. At The Children’s Clinic we use specialist equipment designed to reduce the anxiety and pain associated with phlebotomy. Our experienced staff will discuss all the options with you, allowing us to make the procedure as stress-free as possible for child and parent.
Our newly built Harpenden clinic benefits from free parking, friendly reception staff and high-level facilities, reducing stress and making a less-than-desirable situation as calm and easy as possible.
She is able to explain complicated subjects to young children in a way which puts them at ease and takes away the fear of the unknown.
Parent testimonial
What is a Prompt-Response Appointment?
A Prompt-Response Appointment is specifically reserved for children who are unwell and need to be seen by a Paediatrician within 5 days or less. This service is designed to provide paediatric appointments for urgent, non-critical issues, giving you direct access to specialist paediatric primary care without a trip to A&E or your GP.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
You can be seen by a Consultant Paediatrician within 5 days or less.
Who will I see?
You will see Consultant Paediatrician Dr Felicity Taylor MA MBBS FRCPCH PGDip.
What happens during the appointment?
At your child’s appointment, Consultant Paediatrician Felicity Taylor will take the time to listen, carry out a full assessment including history and examination, and present a treatment plan to get your child back to health as quickly as possible. You will receive a thorough explanation of any diagnosis made, and a plan for further tests and follow up (if any) will be agreed with you.
Who can book and use a Prompt-Response Appointment?
Appointments can be booked by parents or carers. For child safeguarding reasons, an adult with parental responsibility must accompany their baby or child to the appointment. Dr Taylor is able to see young people aged 16 years and over in confidence without a responsible adult present.
How do I book an appointment?
Book online or by calling Harpenden Medical on 01582 291828.
How do I pay and what does it cost?
Appointments cost £180 and are payable in clinic following your appointment (card only). Prompt-Response Appointments cannot be funded by health insurance.
Any additional charges, such as the cost of any extra tests, will be discussed with you in advance. Any required prescriptions will be included as part of the appointment fee (which will be fillable on a private prescription basis)
What is included in the appointment fee?
As part of your child’s appointment, they will receive a focussed assessment including history and examination. Simple investigations such as urinalysis and blood glucose tests, are included.
Any further required tests, including blood tests, are at an additional cost: this will be discussed with you, and you can make the decision whether to proceed with these or arrange them at a later date or elsewhere. Any necessary prescriptions will be provided as part of the appointment fee: the dispensing fee for the item will need to be settled directly with the dispensing pharmacy.
Do I need a referral to arrange a consultation?
For Prompt-Response Appointments, you do not need a referral from your GP to arrange a consultation. As per national professional guidelines, Dr Taylor will arrange for details of the consultation to be shared confidentially with your regular GP, so that they are aware of any changes in your child’s medical needs.
What should I do if my child needs immediate medical attention?
If your child requires immediate medical attention, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department (A&E).
Do I need anything to book an appointment?
No, you simply need to select your chosen appointment time and enter your details.
What's a CRP test?
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver. The level of CRP increases when there’s inflammation in the body. A simple blood test can check your C-reactive protein level. mayoclinic.org
What is point of care testing (POCT)?
Point of care testing is an innovative way of rapidly testing for infections, allowing clinicians to immediately diagnose and treat patients during the same consultation.
By taking samples (finger prick blood or throat swab) during the consultation, and immediately testing these samples using our on-site state of the art laboratory equipment, we are able to get almost instant results to help guide treatment. This allows increased diagnostic accuracy, meaning the correct treatment can be started immediately, allowing your child, and the whole family, to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Please note, POCT is a specialised diagnostic procedure, with additional costs. Dr Taylor will discuss with you the benefits of testing before the tests are administered, allowing you to make an informed choice.
What should I do if I need to be seen quicker?
If you need an urgent appointment and you’re struggling to find one, simply call Harpenden Medical on 01582 291828 and the team will assist you.
Is a Prompt-Response Appointment available through my insurance?
No, Prompt-Response Appointments are not covered by private health insurance. They are self-pay only.
What if I need more time?
A Prompt-Response Appointment is appropriate for children who are newly unwell. It is designed to provide paediatric appointments for single system, urgent, non-critical issues. For more complex or chronic problems, or when you would like more time to discuss a number of issues, please book a General Paediatric Appointment.
Can I get prescriptions?
Any necessary prescriptions will be provided as part of the appointment fee. The dispensing fee for the item will need to be settled directly with the dispensing pharmacy.
Is there parking?
Yes free parking is available at Harpenden Medical:
Harpenden Medical , The Old Stables, Pipers Lane, Harpenden, AL5 1AJ
