Those using the public health system can choose one of the paediatricians in the CAP. The recent baby boom is putting pressure on public paediatricians, and in busy periods they will prioritise children with more serious cases. In this event, a routine consultation will fall to the family GP.

For those with private health insurance, there is now a large English-speaking parents’ network online (see Support Groups), who can offer advice on selecting a paediatrician. Much will depend on your parenting ethos. Some people like their paediatrician to dish out the antibiotics; others don’t, so look around for like-minds. While you will have a freer choice of paediatricians on private health plans, this can only be within centres that have a contract with your insurer. Most of the comprehensive packages offer cover for your children. But this may exclude vaccinations that are not considered essential. Restrictions may apply for adopted children, or children born as the result of assisted conception.

The vaccination programme varies slightly in timescale throughout Spain, and something similar will be followed in private clinics.

Some parents in the public system may have reservations about the heavy vaccination load, especially in the first few months. Jabs are also given rather early here; the MMR jab comes in one shot at 15 months, considerably earlier than in Britain and other countries. Chickenpox vaccinations are given at 12.

As a parent you have the right, of course, to decline a vaccination for your child, though public Spanish doctors can take a rather forceful, paternalistic view. Refusing vaccinations could also pose difficulties for enrolling your child in the state education system.