Gastroenterology

Monash Children’s Department of Gastroenterology is one of only two paediatric gastroenterology departments in Victoria.

The department provides outpatient clinics for children of all ages from newborn to adolescents with complex gastrointestinal conditions.

We provide care for all aspects of paediatric and adolescent gastroenterology, hepatology (with the exception of liver transplantation and chronic viral hepatitis), nutrition and endoscopy.

Conditions that we manage include inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis suspected liver disease, coeliac disease, refractory constipation, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Endoscopy services include gastroscopy, colonoscopy, video capsule endoscopy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

The department has close links with other general and specialist paediatric units, adult gastroenterology and allied health services especially dietetics, speech pathology and PEG outreach.

Patients at outpatient clinics are seen by a gastroenterologist, a nurse and a dietitian if required.

Outpatient clinics are held weekly with all appointments made through the outpatient booking system. Patients may also be seen in private rooms.

Program Director: Professor Nick Freezer

Head of Unit:  Dr Rupert Hinds

Gastroenterologists:

• Dr Vered Schildkraut
• Dr Ed Giles
• Dr Jeremy Rajanayagam (on call)

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.

Emergency referrals

Any condition thought to be an emergency by the referring practitioner should be seen within the Emergency Department. Urgent referrals must be discussed with the on-call gastroenterologist. Please contact the on call gastroenterologist through our Monash Health switchboard 9594 6666.

Referral guidelines
To view the referral guidelines for Paediatric Gastroenterology click here.

General referrals 

All referrals will be triaged by a gastroenterologist. Children not appropriate for our clinic will be referred to another Monash Children’s Hospital clinic where appropriate. Children not needing to be seen at any clinic will be referred back to their GP with an explanatory letter.

Please address referral to the Head of Unit Dr Rupert Hinds. The patient will be seen by a clinician within this specialty.

• Preparation Prior to Endoscopy for children 1-5 years
• Preparation Prior to Endoscopy for children 6-15 years
• Preparation Prior to Endoscopy for over 16 years
• Extra Bowel Preparation
• Paediatric Colonoscopy
• Paediatric Gastroscopy
• Paediatric Gastroscopy Fasting Instructions
• Paediatric Gastroscopy for insertion or change of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)