Hello there. I’m Dr. Carly Fertleman, Consultant Paediatrician with over 30 years of experience.
Over the years, I’ve encountered just about every type of paediatric illness you can imagine. I
believe in keeping things light-hearted when possible; humour is key to my practice and a
powerful tool to help families feel at ease. It’s always my goal to keep the child, no matter their age, at the centre of my focus and attention.
For the past 20 years I have worked as a consultant in general paediatrics at The Whittington
Hospital, London, UK. These days, I work part-time there, returning for half terms and the
summer. I feel so lucky to keep a role that I love within the NHS team while being able to live in Israel. I made Aliyah in September 2023 with a licence to practice here, which has been an exciting step.
My Journey and Approach to Care
I knew I wanted to study medicine since I was a teenager. I was keen to join my love of science and being with people in my career and I am a problem solver. Kids are fun to work with and usually get better quickly. Families come to me because they see the expertise I bring to the table. I provide a secure environment and explain all my finding to the families in plain English. Medicine nowadays increasing listens to voice of the patient/parent, is collaborative in symptom management and this really appeals to me. I can guide families to utilise resources on the internet and gain knowledge and empower themselves. I’m especially supportive of women considering home deliveries. As a paediatrician, I’ve often
heard people say, “Most paediatricians in Israel are opposed to home deliveries.” My personal journey has given me a very different perspective. I’ve had two home deliveries myself, and those experiences have profoundly shaped the way I connect with and support women who may be on a similar path. Additionally, I have had infertility treatment for all of my children and do not see this as a barrier to a home delivery. My own experiences allow me to bring not just professional expertise but genuine empathy and reassurance to the table.
Making a Difference
Education has always been a special interest, and for many years, I’ve focused on supporting
others in their learning journeys. Since 2018, I was made a full Professor of Paediatric
Education at University College London.
I’ve written seven parenting books, including “Your Baby Week by Week,” now in its second
edition and having sold over a ½ million copies. I have authored three textbooks and more than 90 peer-reviewed articles, cited over 1,400 times. I am especially passionate about my work on Paroxysmal Extreme Pain Disorder, a rare condition for which my team found the causative mutation.
Beyond the Practice
I am the mother to three now adult children and came on Aliyah to Jaffa with my dog Talulah
and we have since been joined by two hilarious cats, Bobbin and Moses. My passions are all
things art and crafty. Since I came here, I have learnt to paddle board and surf, and am the
bespoke mender of all clothing items and jewellery for my friends.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events or Services
I have a workshop coming up in December for English-speaking parents of adolescents run by the Iriyah. This will be an interactive workshop to respond to the needs of the parents who attend the workshop. The discussion will be tailored to issues the parents are currently facing or fear at this time and will be handled in a sensitive and supportive way.
I currently see paediatric patients privately and intend on seeing babies in Israel very soon
(pending successful specialist recognition).
Sharing Your Wisdom
There’s a lot of pressure on parents to hit certain milestones, like having their baby sit
independently by six months. This often leads to parents placing their baby into a sitting position before they’re truly ready. But here’s the thing—babies can’t tell us when they’re tired or uncomfortable in that position, and it’s important to let their development unfold naturally.
A helpful tip is to only encourage sitting when your baby can also get themselves out of that
position. Focus on letting them roll, crawl, and move freely—they’ll reach milestones when their body is ready. It’s not about hitting timelines but about fostering healthy, natural growth and development.
How People Can Get in Touch with You
If you’d like to learn more or book an appointment, you can reach me through the Advah Health Clinic website or Email me at c.fertleman@ucl.ac.uk .
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