MCHC vs. Private pediatricivian

Hi everyone, saw from some of the old posts that some moms use both private dr. And also goto MHCH's. Since giving birth 5 wks ago, I've been going to dr. Angela lau from central health. Although I like her, gentle doesn't seem to rush us etc. We've been to her twice for the 1 wk then 1mth chkup. For the 1 mth, I expected her to examine my little girl from head to toe, but she only chked ears, heartbeat and answered my quetions. It's early days, but i get the sense that she is also pro meds, which i'm not so keen on i.e she saw a few red bumps on babys bum, and prescribed fungas cream. Since this is my first child and not from HK, not sure if my expectations are set too high? Do peds not do a thorough body examination? Or do I have to ask her to do so?
My insurance doesn't cover these chks, so may want to try the combo, I was wondering if the MCHC's provide everything my baby needs? Is the only down side the long wait? We are in central, so is the sai ying pun the closest? Thanks!!!@
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i have 2 kids DS 4 and DD 2 i go to MCHC for both my kids and im really satisfied with them at first checkup they do full body examine and if God forbid any problem they respond promptly.i am very satisfied with MCHCs.
 
I go to MCHC for the developmental check ups and immunisations, but go to a private GP for sicknesses. Our GP is only $150 or something each visit, and it's covered by medical insurance so no big deal. Plus the wait is much quicker. I've never taken my daughter to a pediatrician other than our GP (who also is a pediatrician as well).
 
I favor the MCHC over peds for check ups. Peds here don't seem to do much...and you are right, everyone seems like love drugs here. Mchc is very systematic and thorough for check ups. But if my baby was sick, i just took him to the private doctor.
 
MCHC is better, specilly for 1st time moms. They ensure that the mother is healthy in addition to the baby. If you have problem feeding the baby they will also refer you to their lactation consultant.
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I'm a convert! First born = Private = $$$$$... The second one = Initially private but now MCHC = Free!

I'm all for the MCHC! They do a more thorough job than a PD as you go through 3 nurses before you see the PD! And they always take their time (with us anyway). I've also gotten personal calls from the doctor if I have walked away from the clinic and they have forgotten to tell me something or other about my child. The nurses don't realise that I'm a second time mum and still fuss over what I need to do/know. It's amazing!

The jabs are the same as my bub would have at the PD (a subsidiary of Central Health - Island Health). The nurses are not going to coo over her though the way a private nurse/PD/GP would. But it's all free! :-)

Definitely give it a go!
 
same here... MCHC for regular checks and immunizations. Private paed if bub fallls sick. MCHC are great - highly recommended !
 
Just keep in mind that for immunizations, the mchc only does the 4-1. I got the 5-1 at private clinics each time. The extra one is the Hib vaccine.
Also, go in there confident for your baby's development checks. Haha, these nurses are all business, and can easily make you feel as if you are not doing a 'correct' job as a new mother. They also talk a big game about breastfeeding(lucky for me, mine was totally bf at first). Don't be afraid to stand up to them. Or maybe it's just the surly nurses at my local clinic;)
 
The nurses at my MCHC were also very pro breastfeeding. I breastfed for 15 months and they were VERY supportive. I don't know what it's like if you've chosen formula feeding, but I know formula feeding is very common here so I'm sure they'd also be supportive of the mother's choice - even if it's not what they think is ideal.
 
We do a combination, but we definitely love our MCHC. The nurses and doctors all know us by name whereas its the private doctor's office - not so much the paediatrician, but the nurses - that makes it feel like a factory. While the MCHC do cover all the vaccinations that are required in Hong Kong as well as do a thorough health assessment for your child, there are some vaccinations that you may want that are not available at the MCHC. For me, they are the ones for rotavirus and varicella (chicken pox). The varicella one is also available as a combination with the MMR, so you can either skip the MMR shot at the MCHC or go for the varicella one separately at the private doctor's office. There's also HiB, which is the one that's included in the 5-in-1 and 6-in-1, but I'm not sure if it's available as a standalone, so you may need to check.
 
Great experience so far with MCHC. I like how systematic they are with developmental check-ups and immunizations are free!!! :) It is a bit of a wait, esp on Sat though. I will say that the doctors at the MCHC I go to (Tsing Yi) are a bit grumpy, so I prefer my paed if baby is sick. The nurses are great though and they really try to help!
 
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