Paediatric Neurologist in Sutton Coldfield
Consultant paediatric neurologist for children with headaches, migraine, epilepsy, developmental delay, tics, Tourette syndrome, and movement disorders. EEG and MRI referral arranged where needed. From £300, no GP referral required.
Neurological symptoms in children — seizures, severe headaches, developmental concerns — are amongst the most anxiety-provoking for any parent. At The Vesey, Professor Rajat Gupta brings academic and clinical expertise to bear in a calm, accessible private setting. Most families wait 7–14 days rather than the months that NHS referral pathways require.
Conditions we assess
- Migraine with and without aura
- Tension-type headache
- Chronic daily headache
- Thunderclap headache assessment
- Headache diary analysis
- Preventive and acute treatment
- First seizure assessment
- Epilepsy diagnosis & classification
- Anti-seizure medication management
- EEG and MRI referral
- Febrile seizure review
- Treatment-resistant epilepsy review
- Global developmental delay
- Motor development concerns
- Regression investigation
- Metabolic and genetic causes
- Liaison with paediatrics & SALT
- Simple & complex motor tics
- Vocal tics
- Tourette syndrome diagnosis
- Co-morbid ADHD & OCD management
- School support letters
- Neurological assessment where ADHD co-exists with neurological features
- EEG for suspected seizures in ADHD
- Medication review for complex presentations
- Chorea & dystonia
- Tremor assessment
- Functional neurological disorder
- Ataxia evaluation
- Spasticity management review
Procedures & transparent pricing
| Procedure | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| New paediatric neurology consultation | 50–60 mins · full neurological assessment | £300 |
| Follow-up consultation | 30 mins · same consultant | £220 |
| EEG referral | Arranged to accredited neuro-diagnostics | From £250 |
| MRI head (paediatric) | Arranged to accredited imaging · Birmingham | From £450 |
Prices accurate as of July 2026. EEG and MRI are referred to accredited centres; quoted costs include the procedure and consultant reporting.
Deep-dive: childhood epilepsy — diagnosis and management
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in children, affecting approximately 1 in 200. Accurate diagnosis is essential — both to ensure children who have epilepsy receive appropriate treatment, and to avoid unnecessary medication in children whose episodes are not epileptic.
Seizure classification and epilepsy types
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 2017 classification distinguishes focal seizures (arising from one hemisphere), generalised seizures (affecting both hemispheres simultaneously), and unknown onset. Common childhood epilepsy syndromes include childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), and Dravet syndrome. Accurate syndrome classification guides medication choice and prognosis.
The role of EEG and MRI
EEG records the brain's electrical activity and is the most important investigation in epilepsy. It may show inter-ictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) between seizures, identify the epilepsy syndrome, and determine whether seizures are generalised or focal. A normal EEG does not exclude epilepsy. MRI is indicated for focal epilepsy, abnormal EEG, developmental regression, or where a structural cause is suspected (hippocampal sclerosis, cortical dysplasia, tumour).
Anti-seizure medications in children
First-line medications include levetiracetam (broad-spectrum, well-tolerated, no blood monitoring required), lamotrigine (requires slow dose titration, good evidence for generalised and focal epilepsies), and sodium valproate (highly effective but avoided in girls of childbearing potential due to teratogenicity). Medication is chosen based on seizure type, syndrome, age, sex, and co-morbidities. Professor Gupta monitors drug levels and side effects at follow-up.
School support
Children with epilepsy require an individual healthcare plan (IHP) for school, including a rescue medication protocol (e.g. buccal midazolam for prolonged seizures). Professor Gupta provides detailed school letters and IHP templates at initial assessment.
Deep-dive: paediatric migraine
Migraine is the most common cause of recurrent disabling headache in children, affecting around 10% of school-age children. It is significantly under-recognised and under-treated.
ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for paediatric migraine
The International Headache Society (ICHD-3) criteria require at least 5 attacks of headache lasting 2–72 hours (shorter than in adults), with at least 2 of: unilateral or bilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate to severe intensity, aggravation by routine activity — plus nausea/vomiting or photophobia and phonophobia.
Identifying triggers
Common paediatric migraine triggers include irregular sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, screen time, and emotional stress. A headache diary (recording attacks, duration, associated symptoms, potential triggers, and medication taken) is the cornerstone of trigger identification. Professor Gupta analyses diary data at consultation.
Acute treatment
Ibuprofen (first-line, 10 mg/kg) is more effective than paracetamol for acute migraine. Triptan use (sumatriptan nasal spray, zolmitriptan) is licensed from age 12 and is highly effective for moderate to severe migraine when analgesics fail. Antiemetics (prochlorperazine, domperidone) are added where vomiting is prominent.
Preventive treatment
Preventive medication is considered when migraine attacks occur more than 2–3 times per month, or when attacks cause significant school absence. Options include topiramate, amitriptyline, propranolol, and pizotifen. Lifestyle measures — consistent sleep routine, hydration, regular meals — are always the foundation of prevention.
School impact
Migraine is a leading cause of school absence in children. Professor Gupta provides school letters documenting the diagnosis and, where appropriate, recommending adjustments (access to medication, rest facilities, reduced screen exposure).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private paediatric neurologist cost in Sutton Coldfield?
A new consultation with Professor Gupta is £300. Follow-ups £220. EEG referral from £250. MRI head (paediatric) from £450.
Can you diagnose epilepsy at The Vesey?
Yes. Professor Gupta takes a detailed seizure history, reviews any available video of episodes, and arranges EEG and MRI where indicated. An epilepsy diagnosis is clinical and supported by EEG — expert specialist assessment is essential.
What does an EEG involve for a child?
An EEG records electrical activity in the brain using small electrodes placed on the scalp. It is painless and takes 45–60 minutes. Sleep-deprived EEG or video-EEG may be arranged where standard EEG is normal but seizures are frequent.
How quickly can my child be seen?
Most new patients are seen within 7–14 days. Children with suspected epilepsy, frequent seizures or significant neurological symptoms are prioritised.
Can you provide a letter for my child's school?
Yes — Professor Gupta routinely provides school letters outlining diagnosis, management, emergency protocols (e.g. rescue medication for epilepsy), and any activity restrictions or accommodations needed.
My child is on epilepsy medication — can you manage this?
Yes — Professor Gupta prescribes and manages anti-seizure medications including lamotrigine, levetiracetam, sodium valproate, carbamazepine and others. He monitors drug levels and side effects and can adjust medication at follow-up appointments.
My child has developmental concerns — what can you assess?
Professor Gupta assesses global developmental delay, motor development concerns, and neurodevelopmental conditions where a neurological cause is suspected. He co-ordinates with paediatricians, speech and language therapy and educational psychology as needed.
Does my child need an MRI?
MRI is indicated for epilepsy with an abnormal EEG, focal seizures, developmental regression, abnormal neurological examination, or suspected structural cause. It is arranged for specific clinical indications, not routinely. Paediatric MRI from £450.
My child has tics — could this be Tourette's?
Tourette syndrome is diagnosed when a child has had multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic for more than 12 months. Professor Gupta assesses tic disorders, distinguishes Tourette's from other tic conditions, and advises on management — including medication where tics are functionally impairing.
Does insurance cover paediatric neurology?
Yes — Bupa, Vitality, AXA Health, Aviva, WPA and Healix routinely cover paediatric neurology. Pre-authorisation is usually required for EEG and MRI.
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist in Sutton Coldfield
Professor Rajat Gupta · Seen within 7–14 days · Evening & weekend appointments · No GP referral · Free parking.
Free reschedule with 48+ hours' notice · CQC reg. 1-13508890408