Dietetics

The Dietitians at Monash Children’s Hospital are experienced in managing issues and diseases that commonly affect infants, children and adolescents. Dietetics provide a service to patients in both a hospital and community setting.

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 hospital 

The Nutrition and Dietetics department provide a service to inpatient programs and specific specialist outpatient clinics. A general outpatient clinic and a Home Enteral Nutrition clinic are provided by Nutrition and Dietetics.

The Dietitians at Monash Children’s Hospital are qualified professionals with expertise in the dietary management of a wide range of conditions that can benefit from dietary therapy. Dietetic services include:

• Nutritional assessment including growth and dietary assessment and monitoring
• Facilitating the provision of appropriate diets for inpatients
• Nutrition education for disease specific diets
• Assessment and advice on initiation, continuation and cessation of enteral and parenteral nutrition
• Coordinating the Home Enteral Nutrition Program for children requiring home tube feeding
• Education sessions to patients and their carers
• Health Professional education

Home Enteral Nutrition Program

Children requiring home tube feeding can be registered for the Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) Program. This is a government funded initiative that allows us to provide families with equipment and formula required for tube feeding. This program is available only to public patients who attend Monash Children’s Hospital for their medical management.

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

Clinics

Children consulted in Monash Children’s Hospital public outpatient clinics and those discharged from an inpatient stay at Monash Children’s Hospital can be referred to the Dietetic outpatient clinics. No referrals are accepted from outside the hospital. Clinics include:

• Paediatric Dietetics Clinic: Tuesday 12.30-3.30pm
• Home Enteral Nutrition Clinic: Monday 12.30-3.30pm

Hospital referrals 

Outpatient dietetic consultations require a medical/nursing/allied health written referral faxed to (03) 8572 3048.

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
Outpatient clinic waiting periods are 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