Dietetics

Dietetics provides a high quality patient focused service.

The Dietitians at Monash Children’s Hospital have much experience and knowledge in managing issues and diseases that commonly affect infants, children and adolescents. Dietetics provide a service to all inpatient programs, selected paediatric outpatient clinics in addition to conducting a paediatric and Home Enteral Nutrition dietetic clinic. Dietetic services include:

• Nutritional assessment including growth and dietary assessment and monitoring
• Co-ordinating the provision of disease specific diets while an inpatient
• Nutrition education of disease specific diets
• Education, provision and monitoring of diets for weight loss, weight gain and weight maintenance
• Assessment and advice on initiation, continuation and cessation of enteral and parenteral nutrition
• Coordinating the Home Enteral Nutrition Program for children requiring enteral nutritional support
• Education sessions to patients, parents and the wider community
• Medical, Nursing and Allied Health education

The Dietitians at Monash Children’s Hospital also have a close working relationship with the Food Services Department to ensure the provision of quality meals to meet special dietary requirements.

Dietetics and nutrition in the community

We will see children 0-17 years of age

We work with children and families to assess and assist with nutrition and weight management.

We provide:

• Individual counselling, group work and resource provision
• Advice and management around fussy eaters
• We provide support and management of HEN clients
• See children jointly with speech in feeding clinic 0-2 years as well as children 0-6 with sensory feeding issue.

Please contact the service for more information on: childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org

Fees may apply for some services. Please ask access service for information.

The fact sheets below are for general information only. Please consult with a dietitian or other health professionals to make sure this information is right for your child.

• Boosting calcium intake for children and adolescents
• Boosting iron intake for children and adolescents
• Fussy Eating in Children
• Healthy Lifestyles for Children and Adolescents
• Healthy Snack Ideas
• Healthy Vegetarian Eating for Children and Adolescents
• High Energy and Protein Eating for Children and Adolescents
• Introducing Solids
• Reflux in Infants
• School Lunch Box Ideas
• Suggestions for Polyjoule Use in Children

Hospital referrals 

Outpatient dietetic consultations require a medical/nursing/allied health written referral.

Eligibility criteria
Children consulted in Monash Health public outpatient clinics and those discharged from an inpatient stay can be referred to the Dietetic outpatient clinics.

Waiting periods
All inpatient referrals are activated within 24 business hours of receiving a referral. Outpatient clinic waiting periods are usually four to six weeks.

Costs
There is no cost associated with outpatient consultations.

Community referrals 

For referrals please contact us via the following:

Phone: 1300 3 iCARE (1300 342 273)
Fax: (03) 9594 9221
Email: MHCAccess@monashhealth.org

For more information or assistance with your referral please contact the service on childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion:

• Lives / works / studies or child attends pre-school or child-care in the City of Greater Dandenong, City Of Casey, Shire of Cardinia
• OR cannot access local services due to poor transport accessibility
• OR service is not provided by local community health service

Exclusion:

• Clients on waitlist, attending OR previously attended Early Childhood Intervention Programs or Specialist Schools cannot be seen as they should be eligible to receive therapy support at these settings
• Clients with a developmental diagnosis i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Asperger’s, Autism, global developmental delay