FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

After becoming a general practitioner, some doctors spend more years studying just one part or organ of the body, others spend this time learning to do more advanced surgery. Specialist paediatricians spend 4 years studying diseases which specifically affect babies and children.

Dr Amanda Jean Wessels Inc is registered with most Medical Aids but is currently not contracted in with any.

You will be asked to submit your Medical Aid details prior to your appointment so that funds may be confirmed and for smooth handling of your invoicing on the day.

At the end of your appointment, the invoice will be sent to your Medical Aid and, depending on your scheme, plan and available funds, the Medical Aid will let us know whether they will cover in full or a part of the fee. The balance is payable by you, with card facilities available.

Yes, we have card facilities available for payment of your appointment, if you are not on a medical aid or funds are depleted.

Consultation fees are different depending on whether they are a first consult, a follow-up consultation, or an extended/complex consultation eg. For ADHD

Please whatsapp 082 524 4133 and request billing information so that updated fees may be sent to you prior to your appointment.

As a paediatrician I fully support the childhood vaccination schedule.

I am currently not able to administer childhood vaccines at The Practice but hope to include this service in the near future! Watch this space!

No, I do not have a dispensing licence to issue medication to take home.

I am able to administer medication at the practice when needed.

The practice is fully stocked with medication that may be needed in an emergency or if your child arrives unwell on the day of their appointment.

No, I do not offer neonatal services for babies under 7 days of life, babies in the NICU, or attend deliveries.

I look forward to welcoming your little newborns to my practice from 7 days of life, whether they need to be seen for a concern or illness, a weight check, or their 6-week check-up.

Yes. Alongside other long-term medical conditions, I have a particular interest in supporting children with ADHD.

My focus is not simply on prescribing medication. I believe in supporting the whole child and family, including helping children and parents with routines, diet and lifestyle strategies that can make everyday life and schooling more manageable, positive and enjoyable.

Please note that ADHD appointments are longer and require some additional preparation, including liaison with your child’s school through forms. There is also some extra paperwork for you to complete. For this reason, please be sure to book your appointment in advance. ADHD appointments also have a different fee structure.

I provide ongoing care for children with long-term health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, epilepsy, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Yes. In the private sector, I can see children and young people up to 18 years of age.

I particularly enjoy working with teenagers and really missed this aspect of paediatrics during my years in the government sector.

For certain concerns, I may recommend seeing another specialist. This includes mental health conditions other than ADHD, as well as skin conditions in teenagers, where a specialist may be better suited to provide the appropriate care.

At the moment, I consult Monday to Friday.

If weekend or after-hours consultations become available, I’ll update this page with the details.

If your little one is too unwell to wait until the next working day, please take them to a hospital casualty for assessment and care.

When should I rush my child to hospital?

Parents often worry about knowing when they should take their child to hospital after hours, rather than waiting to see a doctor the next day.

The following conditions and symptoms require urgent medical attention. If your child presents with any of these, please do not wait until the next day to seek medical care.

What may alert you that this is urgent?

  • Noisy breathing
  • Fast breathing
  • Blue discoloration of lips
  • Gurgling sound while breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing saliva
  • Child prefers to sit up than lie down
  • Extreme agitation/confusion

What may alert you that this is urgent?

  • Increased breathing rate,
  • The lower chest pulling in with every breath or tugging of the skin above the sternum
  • Head-bobbing in small babies
  • Coughing spells where your child turns blue or vomits at the end
  • Blue discoloration of the lips
  • Extreme agitation or confusion

What may alert you that this is urgent?

  • Vomiting all fluids, unable to retain any
  • Very cold hands and feet on a background of fluid loss
  • Eyes sunken deep into the face
  • Fast breathing on a background of fluid loss
  • Lethargy following fluid loss

What may alert you that this is urgent?

  • Seizures in a child who is not known with epilepsy
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness – not responding to your voice or touch
  • Severe headache not responding to painkillers and worse when lying down/bending down
  • Stiffness/not able to bend the neck with fever and headache
  • Sudden onset blurred vision

What may alert you that this is urgent following a sting or exposure to a new medication?

  • Sudden collapse
  • Lip and/or tongue-swelling
  • Swelling over the body
  • Raised, red rash that spreads and changes
  • Pain, discomfort or spasm in the chest

Resources

Dr Mandy Wessels

General Paediatrician

Empangeni:
Addison Medical Centre,
5 Addison Street

Mtunzini:
Mtunzini Medical Centre,
Village Square,
5 Station Road