Paediatrician

Our practice provides families with access to a visiting consultant paediatrician who specialises in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The paediatrician works closely with our general practitioners to ensure each child receives the right assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in a supportive environment. This service is particularly valuable for children with developmental, behavioural, or complex medical needs that require specialist input.

Appointments with the visiting paediatrician are available by referral, and we encourage parents to discuss their concerns with their GP first to determine whether a referral is appropriate.

What is a Paediatrician?

A paediatrician is a medical doctor who has undergone additional specialist training in the health and medical care of babies, children, and teenagers. Their expertise covers a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental conditions that are unique to younger patients. Unlike general practitioners, paediatricians focus solely on children’s health, understanding the ways illnesses, growth patterns, and behaviour differ between age groups.

Paediatricians play an essential role in both diagnosing and managing medical conditions and providing guidance to families about nutrition, growth milestones, immunisations, and ongoing care needs.

Who is Suitable for Consultant Paediatrician Services?

Children and adolescents may benefit from a paediatrician’s care for various reasons. Some families seek a specialist’s opinion when their child’s symptoms are persistent, complex, or not responding to initial treatment. Others may be referred after a GP, teacher, or caregiver identify developmental or behavioural concerns.

Common reasons for paediatrician referral include:

• Developmental concerns: Such as delays in walking, talking, or social interaction.
• Behavioural issues: Including attention difficulties, hyperactivity, or emotional dysregulation.
• Chronic medical conditions: Such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or congenital disorders.
• Growth and nutritional problems: Including failure to thrive or obesity.
• Learning difficulties: When a child struggles academically and may require a specialist assessment.
• Complex or undiagnosed symptoms: That need advanced investigation or coordinated multidisciplinary care.

In general, if a child’s health, behaviour, or development raises ongoing concerns, a paediatrician’s input can be beneficial for early intervention and tailored management.

Benefits of Consultant Paediatrician Services

Access to a paediatrician offers families reassurance, clarity, and a more structured approach to managing their child’s health. Key benefits include:

• Comprehensive assessment: Paediatricians use detailed history-taking, developmental milestones, and physical examination to build a complete picture of the child’s health.
• Early diagnosis: Identifying medical or developmental conditions early can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
• Coordinated care: The paediatrician often works alongside GPs, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and schools to ensure holistic care.
• Personalised treatment plans: Management is tailored to each child’s specific medical and developmental profile.
• Parental guidance: Families receive practical strategies to support their child’s growth, learning, and behaviour at home.

What Conditions Do Consultant Paediatricians Manage?

Paediatricians manage a wide range of health concerns, including both acute and chronic issues. Common conditions include:

• Respiratory and allergic conditions: Asthma, chronic cough, hay fever, and eczema.
• Developmental disorders: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), speech and language delay, and global developmental delay.
• Behavioural and emotional challenges: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and behavioural regulation difficulties.
• Neurological conditions: Seizures, epilepsy, and coordination disorders.
• Endocrine and growth issues: Delayed puberty, thyroid problems, and abnormal growth patterns.
• Gastrointestinal concerns: Chronic abdominal pain, reflux, or constipation.
• Feeding and nutritional problems: Fussy eating, food allergies, and concerns about weight.

Each case is managed individually, ensuring care plans reflect the child’s unique health, family, and educational circumstances.

What Happens Before a Paediatrician Appointment?

Before attending an appointment with the paediatrician, families are usually referred by their general practitioner. The GP may provide relevant background details, medical history, and any previous test results to assist the specialist with their assessment.

Parents are encouraged to:

• Prepare notes: Record key observations about the child’s development, learning, and behaviour.
• Bring reports: Such as school assessments, psychologist reports, or prior test results.
• List concerns: Identify the most important questions or issues to discuss.
• Bring a health record: Such as the child’s immunisation book or hospital discharge summaries.

Proper preparation enables the paediatrician to gain a comprehensive understanding of the child’s history and identify the most suitable pathway for care.

What Happens During a Paediatrician Consultation?

During the consultation, the paediatrician conducts a detailed assessment, which may include:

• Medical and developmental history: Reviewing pregnancy, birth, and developmental milestones.
• Physical examination: Assessing growth, motor skills, and overall health.
• Behavioural and cognitive review: Discussing social interaction, learning, and emotional well-being.
• Diagnostic investigations: Ordering blood tests, imaging, or referrals to allied health professionals if needed.
• Collaborative planning: Working with the family to create a management plan and setting goals for follow-up.

For developmental or behavioural concerns, the paediatrician may recommend further assessment through speech therapy, psychology, or occupational therapy.

What to Expect After a Paediatrician Consultation?

After the initial appointment, the paediatrician will summarise findings and discuss next steps. Depending on the diagnosis or concerns identified, follow-up appointments may be required for ongoing management, medication adjustment, or developmental monitoring.

Parents will typically receive a written report outlining recommendations, which may include:

• Lifestyle and behavioural strategies for home and school settings.
• Therapy referrals to allied health professionals for skill development.
• Medical treatment plans for managing chronic or complex conditions.
• Regular review schedule to monitor progress and adjust care as the child grows.

The GP remains central to coordinating ongoing care, ensuring that treatment recommendations are followed through locally.

Paediatrician and GP Collaboration

An important aspect of the visiting consultant paediatrician service is collaboration between specialists and primary care providers. This ensures continuity of care and allows GPs to manage the child’s everyday health needs with the guidance of specialists.

The paediatrician may communicate directly with the GP to provide detailed recommendations, medication updates, and review outcomes. This partnership helps streamline care, avoid test duplication, and provide families with cohesive support across multiple services.

Paediatric Specialist Referrals

While a GP or general paediatrician can manage many health concerns, certain complex cases may require further referral to sub-specialists such as:

• Paediatric neurologists: For seizures, developmental regression, or movement disorders.
• Paediatric endocrinologists: For growth or hormonal issues.
• Paediatric gastroenterologists: For chronic digestive or nutritional concerns.
• Paediatric cardiologists: For congenital or acquired heart conditions.
• Paediatric psychiatrists: For significant emotional or behavioural disorders.

Our practice assists with these referrals and ensures relevant information is shared to provide continuity of care.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early assessment and intervention by a paediatrician can prevent small problems from becoming major challenges. For example, early diagnosis of developmental delay allows timely access to therapy and educational support. Similarly, behavioural or emotional difficulties are best managed when addressed promptly.

By engaging a paediatrician early, parents can receive accurate information, reassurance, and structured guidance that supports their child’s long-term wellbeing.

Accessing the Visiting Consultant Paediatrician

Appointments are available by referral only. To access this service:

• Speak with your GP about your concerns and request a referral if appropriate.
• Bring any relevant reports or school assessments to your consultation.
• Check with reception regarding appointment availability, fees, and Medicare rebate eligibility.

Please note that specialist consultations are typically billed privately and may not be fully covered by Medicare. Our reception team can provide detailed information about costs and rebates before your appointment.