Developmental Paediatrics
Developmental Paediatrics
The Developmental Paediatric Unit sees children from birth to 18 years of age who have developmental and behavioural issues, and their families.
Phone: (03) 8572 3000
About us
The Developmental Paediatric Unit sees children from birth to 18 years of age who have developmental and behavioural issues.
Clinics include Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, Spina Bifida and 22q11 Developmental Assessment.
The Developmental Paediatrics Clinic is a weekly multidisciplinary assessment service for children of all ages. Assessment includes paediatric, psychology, speech therapy and occupational therapy consultation as indicated.
The Developmental Paediatrics Clinic cannot provide ongoing management for children with known developmental conditions requiring long term care. Access to the service is via paediatrician/child psychiatrist referral only.
A monthly spina bifida clinic provides long-term multidisciplinary care including urology, allied health and neurosurgical consultation for children with spina bifida and related conditions.
The 22q11 developmental assessment clinic is held every three months in conjunction with Paediatric Genetics. Assessment includes paediatrics, genetic counselling, psychology and speech therapy consultation as indicated. Access to the service is via paediatrician/geneticist referral only.
Suggested assessments prior to appointment
There is significant wait time for this service. In consultation with your paediatrician, you may consider the following while waiting for your appointment:
- audiology
- school report outlining concerns
- speech therapy (as available)
- referral to Early Childhood Intervention Services/ NDIS/ school support programs as indicated
Fetal alcohol services at Monash Health - VicFAS
Jacana First 1000 Days Clinic
Spina Bifida Clinic
The Spina Bifida Multidisciplinary Clinic is for children who have spina bifida requiring very specialised management on a long term basis.
Children are seen by paediatricians specialising in developmental disabilities, neurosurgeons, urologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, an orthotist and stomal therapy nurse.
Antenatal counselling
The paediatricians in the team can also assist with antenatal counselling of families. Referral to this service is via the Monash Fetal Diagnostic Unit team only.
Eligibility criteria
Children from ages 0 to 18 years with spina bifida/neural tube defects who have long term complex needs.
Prior investigations
Please ensure that all test results (in original format) are available at the time of consultation. Please ensure that images (X-Ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound etc) are also brought along.
Fetal diagnostic referrals will need reports of ultrasound, blood group and screening tests.
Where and when
Specialist Consulting 1, Monash Children’s Hospital Clayton
Monthly – Thursday, 1 – 6pm
- Staff clinic head and paediatrician: Dr Sabine Hennel
- Paediatrician: Dr Talia Maayan
- Neurosurgeons: Associate Professor Andrew Danks, Mr Chris Xenos, Dr Bob Homapour
- Occupational therapist: Ms Natalie Hindman
- Orthotist: Ms Denise Nathan
- Physiotherapist: Ms Melanie Toy-Laing, Ms Emily Simek
- Stomal therapist: Ms Loreto Pinnuck
- Urologist: Mr Robert Coleman
- Clinic Nurses
- Clinic Administration
Referral process
Spina bifida clinic
Referrals should be addressed to Dr Sabine Hennel and require a named referring paediatrician/medical practitioner, provider number, patient name, date of birth and contact details.
Phone: (03) 8572 3004
Fax: (03) 8572 3007
Antenatal counselling
Antenatal counselling referrals should be referred via the Monash Health Fetal Diagnostic Unit which will contact one of the Spina Bifida Clinic consultants directly.
Phone: (03) 9594 2343
Fax: (03) 9594 6226.
Referral to Fellow in Community Child Health – authorised referrers only
Referrals
Referral process
Please refer to the Monash Children’s Hospital Developmental Paediatric Referral Guidelines prior to submitting a referral.
Secure eReferral by HealthLink is now our preferred method of referral.
Find up-to-date information about how to send a referral to Monash Health Specialist Consulting Clinics on the eReferrals page on our website.
Phone: (03) 8572 3004
Referrals should be to Dr K Harris/ Dr S Hennel, and require named referring practitioner, provider number, patient date of birth and contact details.
Referral will be received from
Consultant Paediatrician
Consultant Child Psychiatrist
Direct GP referrals are unable to be accepted.
When
Developmental Paediatrics clinic Wednesday, 9am-12pm
Spina Bifida Clinic, monthly Thursday 1 – 6pm
22q11 Developmental assessment clinic 3 monthly
Where
Specialist Consulting 1
Monash Children’s Hospital, Clayton
Cost
Nil to clients eligible for Medicare. Note: Patients ineligible for Medicare may be charged a fee for services provided.
Staff
By referring to these clinics you will be referring to one of the following practitioners:
- Dr Katrina Harris (Head of Unit)
- Dr Sabine Hennel
