Referral - short 4 year old

[Perkyduck131]

DS has just turned 4 and doesn’t seem to be growing. We’ve measured him and he is 96cm, which isn’t tiny in itself but puts him at the 2nd percentile, whereas at his 2 year check he was on the 50th percentile. Looking back at photos, he was always a similar height to friends but now his classmates at nursery seem to tower above him.
I wanted to get a referral to a paediatrician to ensure it’s nothing to do with thyroid etc. However, our GP have only been taking urgent enquiries since before Xmas. Is there any way we could self refer to a private paediatrician or does it have to be via GP? I appreciate that atm hospitals have more important things to worry about, but as soon as things (hopefully) settle down would like to get the ball rolling and just wanted advice on the best way to do so.

While it probably doesn't help, when you do get a referral it didn't take us long to be seen by the specialists.

That is reassuring @pinkpixie83 . I really hope so- just feel quite powerless at the moment!

You can just make an appointment at a private hospital to see a paediatrician although if it's growth / thyroid you are worried about you would need a endocrinologist .. I have an amazing one if you are in the south east . He is about £100 an hour .
Does your son have any learning difficulties? Are you short ? My son is short but I'm short although dh is talk as is dd .. boys grow very quickly once they grow .

Thank you @huuuuudderiks yes we are south east so would be amazing if you had a recommendation. That’s brilliant that you can just make an appointment- was on google but couldn’t find any answers!
He doesn’t have any learning difficulties, developmentally on track in every other area. I’m also short but DH is 5’11 so I thought he wouldn’t be too short? I’m more concerned that his growth seems to have halted despite eating (relatively) healthy, being active etc.

Ok so I see Doctor Zachariah at Gatwick Spire hospital .. I'm not sure if he sees children but if you call them and ask to see a child endocrinologist or paediatrician then I'm sure they will help you . You can just self fund , you only need a GP referral going private if you are using insurance .

Hi, could you get a referral via Health Visitor to a Community Paediatrician? Just be clear you're asking for referral as your child has dropped centiles, that is criteria enough!

www.privatehealth.co.uk/doctors-and-health-professionals/endocrinologist/south-east-england/

Oh that makes sense-thank you so much for the advice, will get on that tomorrow. Really appreciate it!

I presume you have asked for bloods though to check the thyroid ? I'm sure a gp would sanction that ?

No- it’s not that the GP has refused the referral they just aren’t taking any non urgent enquiries. Thyroid was just something I was concerned about as it runs in the family

Thank you @nuffalready - does that also have to be done via GP? We’ve recently moved to a new area so it’s not where we had any of our original health visitors -feeling out of my depth!

I'd call the GP surgery and ask to be put in touch with the health visitor team. They should be able to listen to your concerns and liaise with the GP and make a referral if necessary.

Yes this!
Be prepared to be pushy too..
They will probably want to weigh/measure themselves but a drop to 2nd from 50th centile should be enough to warrant referral. Good Luck!

Brilliant, thanks both! Will get my pushy pants on ready for tomorrow ...

That's a heck of a drop down the centiles. Definitely worth being pushy. Also worth telling the GP your height, and his dad's, as they can be really useful to the paed that gets the referral.