General Paediatrics
One of the most important things you need to do to prepare for your baby's arrival is to choose a Paediatrician to oversee their health care.
As a qualified and skilled Paediatrician, Dr Bassier manages the physical, behavioural, and mental care for children from birth until age 15.
She is specially trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.
Dr Bassier offers the following general paediatric services:
GENERAL HEALTH CHECKS
A general health check is an investigative and informative consultation that focuses on patient and parent education.
Dr Bassier will assess and discuss things like diet, sleep, behaviour, habits, and environment.
She will also guide parents on how to deal with general illnesses, health maintenance and behaviour.
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKS
Developmental checks are routine check-ups where the focus is on health, growth and development. Dr Bassier emphasises early detection and intervention.
Regular developmental check-ups are scheduled for six weeks, four months, eight months, 12 months, 18 months and two years. Thereafter check-ups take place once a year.
As the child grows, consultation adapts to include age-appropriate milestones, any health issues and general health advice.
As a parent, you know your child best.
If you feel that your child is not reaching the appropriate developmental milestones for his or her age, talk to Dr Bassier and share your concerns.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Dr Bassier assists with both the initial diagnosis for chronic conditions, as well as the management of chronic conditions that were diagnosed by a different health practitioner.
Dr Bassier treats various chronic conditions, such as asthma, constipation, epilepsy, ADHD, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis
(hay fever). Once Dr Bassier has diagnosed a chronic illness or problem, regular follow-up check-ups are required for optimal management and control.
These follow-up appointments are normally scheduled every four to six months, depending on the condition and severity.
LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
If you suspect that your child has a learning disability, it is important to have your child evaluated.
During the process evaluation process, Dr Bassier will provide parents or guardians with forms to complete prior to the appointment.
She will also give your child's teacher a form to complete.
In order for Dr Bassier to make a comprehensive assessment of the child, please bring along all the child's school report cards and some school books.
Also, bring along any educational psychologist or occupational therapy evaluations if you have any.
The consultation is completed in three parts, namely:
- An assessment of all the information and determining a diagnosis.
- Educating the parent education on the condition and a discussion of the available treatments and their side effects.
- Planning future management.
EMERGENCY CONSULTATIONS
If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, you are welcome to bring your sick child to Dr Bassier, as she always leaves some slots open in her day for emergency patients.
Emergencies include vomiting, a high fever, headaches, rash, diarrhoea, acute pain, coughing or a generally unwell child.
We recommend that you phone us as early as possible to secure a slot. If there are no slots available, we will still try our best to help you.
This may mean that we may refer you to one of Dr Bassier's colleagues, or we will advise that you go to the hospital's emergency unit.
For after hour emergencies that cannot wait until the next day, please take your child to the Melomed Bellville Emergency Unit. If your child is admitted to the hospital or if the emergency doctor needs a second opinion, they will contact the Paediatrician on call.