Children's Health & Family GP Care
in Cannonvale
Children rarely follow a convenient schedule when they get sick. Sometimes you know exactly why you need to see a doctor. Other times, all you know is that your child is not quite themselves.
Our GPs provide healthcare for babies, children and adolescents from our Cannonvale medical centre: from everyday childhood health concerns to preventive healthcare, immunisation discussions and ongoing care.
Children Do Not Always Explain Illness the Way Adults Do
A younger child may not be able to tell you what hurts. An older child may describe things differently from what you can observe. And sometimes a parent simply has that feeling that something has changed.
You do not need to have the answer before booking. Tell your GP what you have noticed: how your child is eating, sleeping, playing, behaving or responding compared with what is normal for them. Sometimes that context is just as useful as the symptom itself.
What Can a Children's GP Help With?
Everyday childhood illnesses
New health concerns
Ongoing medical conditions
Preventive healthcare
Immunisation discussions
Medication review
Follow-up after illness
General health and wellbeing
Referral where appropriate
Questions from parents or carers
Children's Health sits within our broader general practice care, supporting the wellbeing of infants, children and adolescents.
Children's General Practice Is Not a Smaller Version of Adult Healthcare
Your GP considers the child's age, development, medical history and individual circumstances when deciding what may need attention. The aim is not only to manage today's problem, but to support healthcare as your child grows.
Babies
Feeding, sleeping, early illness and the questions that come with a first year.
Young Children
Everyday childhood illnesses, development questions and preventive care.
School Age
Recurring illness, follow-up, general wellbeing and immunisation catch-up.
Teenagers
Growing-up health questions, wellbeing and confidential, age-appropriate care.
“Can this wait for the GP, or do we need something more urgent?”
The question almost every parent has asked
Sometimes the answer is obvious. Often it is not.
Not an emergency
Your family GP can assess your child, review what has been happening and decide whether treatment, monitoring, further testing or referral may be appropriate.
Serious or life-threatening
For serious or life-threatening concerns, emergency medical care is more appropriate.
Immunisations & Vaccination Records
It is easy to lose track of childhood vaccinations. Appointments happen at different ages, schedules change as children grow and sometimes a planned vaccination is delayed because life gets in the way. Your GP can discuss your child's vaccination history and help you understand what may be due.
If you are booking specifically for a vaccination, contact reception beforehand so the team can confirm availability and any appointment requirements.
Fallen behind?
You do not need to work the schedule out yourself before speaking with your GP. Our article ‘Child Vaccinations in Australia’ explains vaccination schedules, catch-up vaccination and what families can generally expect at an immunisation appointment.
Read: Child Vaccinations in AustraliaGrowing Up Is Part of Healthcare Too
Not every children's appointment starts with illness. Parents may also have questions about general health, development or changes they have noticed as their child grows.
Sometimes there is a clear concern. Sometimes it is simply: ‘Is this something I should ask a doctor about?’ That is a perfectly reasonable reason to book.
Your GP can listen to what you have noticed and determine whether anything needs closer assessment or follow-up.
The Value of a Family GP Who Knows Your Child
Children can change a lot between appointments. Seeing the same GP where possible can make it easier to build a picture of your child's health over time. Your doctor may gradually become familiar with:
- Previous illnesses
- Medication history
- Allergies or reactions
- Past investigations
- Relevant family medical history
- Ongoing health concerns
- What is normal for your child
That continuity can be particularly useful when something keeps recurring or when your child needs follow-up over time.
Explore Family MedicineOne Child, One Appointment
If more than one child needs to see the doctor, please book a separate appointment for each child. This gives the GP enough time to properly assess each patient and keep individual medical records clear.
Where relevant, please bring
- Your child's Medicare details
- Relevant health information
- Immunisation records
- Hospital or specialist documents
- A current medication list
You do not need to bring everything your child has ever received medically. Just bring what seems relevant to the reason for the appointment.
Children's Health & Family History
Some medical information runs through families. If a parent, sibling or close relative has an important health condition, allergy or other relevant medical history, mention it to your GP.
That information does not automatically mean the child will have the same problem, but it can sometimes help your doctor understand the wider health picture.
Dr Mohamed Elhaddad
General Practitioner · MBBCh
Dr Mohamed Elhaddad has broad medical experience across Egypt, Canada and Australia. His Australian background includes work across rural Victoria, emergency medicine and public health, and he holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney.
His supplied professional profile specifically lists children's health, preventive health, chronic disease management, mental health and acute presentations in the community among his areas of clinical interest. His approach is calm, thorough and practical. Languages spoken: English, Arabic and Spanish.
Telehealth for Children
Coral Coast Doctors offers telehealth for eligible patients who have attended the practice in person within the previous 12 months. For a child's telehealth consultation, the child needs to be present with the parent or carer.
Some children's health concerns still require a physical examination, so the GP may recommend an in-person appointment at the Cannonvale clinic instead.
Explore TelehealthWhen Should You Book More Time?
When booking, let reception know if your child:
- Has several health concerns
- Has a complex or ongoing medical issue
- Requires detailed paperwork
- Needs a comprehensive review
- Has a concern that may require a longer discussion
Eligible Appointments Are Bulk Billed
Coral Coast Doctors offers bulk billed consultations for Medicare-eligible patients where the service is eligible under Medicare. Some non-Medicare services or procedures may have a fee. If you are unsure whether a particular service is covered, ask reception when booking.
View Fees & Bulk BillingChildren's Healthcare in Cannonvale
Coral Coast Doctors provides children's GP care from our Cannonvale medical centre. Families from Cannonvale, Airlie Beach and surrounding Whitsundays communities can book appointments for babies, children and teenagers.
The Children's Health service sits within our broader family medicine and general practice care, making it easier for different members of the family to access healthcare through the same medical centre.
View Our Cannonvale Medical Centre
Children's Health FAQs
Do you see babies and children?
Yes. Our doctors provide healthcare for patients of all ages, from newborns and children through to adults and older people. Please book a separate appointment for each child who needs to be seen. Bring the child's Medicare card and any relevant health, immunisation or hospital records. The child must be present during both in-person and telehealth consultations.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. Telehealth appointments are available for eligible patients who have attended Coral Coast Doctors in person within the previous 12 months. Some health concerns require a physical examination, so your doctor may recommend an in-person appointment. For a child's telehealth consultation, the child must be present with their parent or carer during the appointment.
Do Coral Coast Doctors see babies and children?
Yes. The clinic provides general practice care across age groups, including babies, children and adolescents.
Do I need a separate appointment for each child?
Yes. Please book a separate appointment for each child who needs medical care.
What should I bring to my child's appointment?
Relevant Medicare information, medication details, immunisation information and any hospital or specialist documents that relate to the appointment can be helpful.
Can my GP check my child's vaccination history?
Your GP can discuss immunisation and vaccination status. Coral Coast Doctors lists immunisation among its available services.
What if my child has missed vaccinations?
You can speak with your GP about your child's vaccination record and what may be needed next. The clinic's vaccination article also provides general information about catch-up vaccination.
Do you offer telehealth for children?
Telehealth may be available to eligible patients. For a child's telehealth consultation, the child needs to be present with the parent or carer during the appointment.
Are children's GP appointments bulk billed?
Eligible general practice consultations are bulk billed where Medicare and service eligibility requirements are met. Some non-Medicare services may have a fee.
Which GP has a particular interest in children's health?
Dr Mohamed Elhaddad's supplied profile specifically lists children's health among his clinical interests.
You Know Your Child Best: But Another Pair of Eyes Helps
Parents and carers know what is normal for their child. Sometimes the most sensible next step is simply to have it checked.
- Babies, children and teenagers
- Immunisation support
- Bulk billed where eligible
Medical content reviewed by Coral Coast Doctors
Content updated: September 2026