Child Health

Child health is a fundamental aspect of general practice, encompassing the care of children from birth to adolescence. GPs are often the first point of contact for families and play a central role in monitoring growth and development, managing common childhood illnesses, and addressing parental concerns. From routine care such as vaccinations and developmental checks to the assessment of acute symptoms and recognition of more serious conditions, GPs must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity to manage paediatric health effectively and compassionately. Child health also requires an understanding of safeguarding, communication with families, and collaboration with public health, community, and paediatric services. With early intervention being crucial to lifelong health outcomes, the GP’s role in child health is both preventative and responsive, contributing to the overall well-being of children and their families.  

CH1. Appropriately assess, manage, and refer paediatric patients, ensuring accurate clinical documentation.

CH2. Diagnose and manage both common and serious paediatric conditions in primary care, including:

• Respiratory conditions
• Cardiac conditions
• ENT conditions
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Infectious diseases
• Dermatological conditions
• Neurological conditions
• Musculoskeletal Conditions
• Mental Health conditions
• Behavioural issues
• Developmental issues
• Feeding issues
• Genitourinary Conditions
• Allergies
• Endocrine Conditions

CH3. Conduct and interpret essential paediatric assessments, including:

• Respiratory examination
• Cardiac examination
• 2-week and 6-week Newborn assessments
• Growth, development, and Pubertal assessments
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal assessments
• Abdominal and Genitourinary examination

CH4.Identify and assess an Acutely unwell child, recognising early signs of serious illness and initiating timely management or urgent referral for conditions including:

• Sepsis
• Meningitis
• Severe respiratory distress
• Dehydration and shock
• Acute neurological or Cardiac compromise
• Anaphylaxis
• The Acute Abdomen
• Non-accidental injury

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) underpin workplace-based assessment in this curriculum. Each EPA represents an integrated clinical task that General Practitioners must perform safely and independently, assessed through direct or indirect observation in real clinical settings.

The curriculum and EPA framework are closely aligned: the curriculum defines the required knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours, while EPAs assess their application in practice. Together, they create a coherent approach to developing and demonstrating readiness for independent clinical work.

The examples show how specific activities within general practice & chapters of the curriculum align with particular EPAs.

 EPA 2: Manage the care of children with chronic conditions

For EPA 2, managing a child with well-controlled asthma demonstrates competence in chronic disease care, including reviewing inhaler technique, updating the asthma action plan, and providing preventive advice. If observed, a PIP-C can be used; if discussed retrospectively, a CBD is appropriate. Reflection could cover partnership with parents, addressing health inequalities, and supporting self-management.

Core Knowledge Test (CKT)

• Management of acute otitis media in a 3-year-old

• Management of a febrile child with a non-blanching rash

• Assessment of failure to thrive 

Clinical Competency Test (CCT)

• A parent comes in to discuss a child with fever and a rash.
• A guardian comes in to discuss a child who has repeated ear infections.
• A parent presents after a hospital visit for their child’s asthma.

Disclaimer: The examples provided within this section are intended to be indicative only and are included to illustrate how elements of the curriculum may be assessed in the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).

Examination questions in the CCT test the ability of candidates to integrate knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours across multiple curriculum areas to address the challenges posed by the question.

The indicative content should therefore be used solely as a general guide as to some of the topics that may be introduced. Actual examination questions will assess a greater depth and complexity of understanding than the illustrative examples provided.

Please note that a number of CCT questions will require candidates to undertake a physical examination of the simulated patient. In some circumstances, for example in the case of an intimate examination, candidates may be required to display their examination skills through use of a manikin or other device.