If your child has a cough that won't quit, or a wheeze that keeps coming back, who do you actually turn to? In this episode of Ask The Clinic, we walk through
asthma and chest infections in children, and explain when it might be time to look beyond the GP toward a specialist children's doctor here in Manchester.
We start with the question a lot of parents type into Google first:
private pediatrician near me. We explain what actually changes when you see a private respiratory consultant instead of booking a standard GP appointment — namely, more time, and a specialist who focuses specifically on children's breathing and lungs rather than general childhood illness.
From there we cover the conditions that most commonly bring families in. Persistent cough, noisy breathing, asthma, wheeze and breathlessness, and pneumonia and chest infections are the ones parents ask about most, along with chest infections that keep returning without a clear explanation. We talk through the kinds of signs that suggest it's worth seeing an
asthma specialist rather than waiting it out — a cough or wheeze that disrupts sleep, worsens with exercise, or simply won't resolve after weeks.
We also explain what a cough specialist actually does differently. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, the process starts with a detailed history and genuine listening, followed by further investigation where needed, so families get a clear explanation and an actual diagnosis rather than a guess. For parents who've felt passed between different doctors without answers, that thorough approach is often exactly what's been missing. Consultations are available for both new referrals and second opinions, giving families a clear, unhurried path to answers.
This episode features Dr Anirban Maitra, a consultant respiratory paediatrician based in Manchester and one of the region's most experienced specialists in children's respiratory conditions. Dr Maitra holds qualifications through the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Physicians, and sees patients at two Manchester locations: Alexandra Hospital on Tuesday evenings, and Spire Manchester Hospital on Fridays.
Topics covered in this episode:
- What changes when you search for a pediatrician near me versus a specialist
- Common childhood respiratory conditions, from cough to pneumonia
- Warning signs that suggest it's time to see a specialist
- What actually happens during a respiratory consultation
- Where and when to reach a private children's doctor in Manchester
- How to book an appointment at either clinic location
Whether your child has a cough that's dragged on too long or a wheeze that keeps returning, this quick episode explains, in plain language, what a specialist respiratory consultation actually involves and when it's worth booking one. As always, any concerns about your child's specific symptoms are best discussed directly with a doctor.
To book an appointment with Dr Anirban Maitra, call 0161 388 1961 or visit childlungclinic.com for clinic times at Alexandra Hospital and Spire Manchester Hospital. Subscribe to Ask The Clinic for more short, practical guides to children's respiratory health across Greater Manchester.