Some parents do not trust GPs to manage their child's health needs, and many GPs themselves are not confident treating chronic illnesses in children, research suggests.

As Melbourne hospitals continue to be overwhelmed by large numbers of children, including some with minor problems, a survey of 600 parents has found close to one in 10 are not confident in a GP's ability to care for their child.

Some parents lack confidence in GPs to care for children. Credit:Kim-Cherie Davidson

The survey of parents whose children were receiving specialist care at the Royal Children's and Monash Children's hospitals in 2014 and 2015 found only 45 per cent were "completely confident" in their child's GP to provide general paediatric care.

While nine out of 10 parents said their child had a regular GP, one third said a GP "rarely" or "never" co-ordinated the care of their child with other specialist doctors. Three quarters said a GP would give their child a referral to see a paediatrician whenever they asked for one.