The role of the a paediatrician is to provide specialist care to children from 0 – 18 (and occasionally beyond). Paediatricians have completed a full medical degree and then undertaken many more years, usually 6 or more, of specialist training in paediatrics.
Paediatricians do not replace General Practitioners in the care of a child but provide specialist treatment in co-ordination with the GP.
For all health concerns, the GP should be the first point of contact and they will refer to a paediatrician where appropriate.