Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make an appointment?
You can call Active Health reception on 5522 1200, and they will help to triage your appointment.
If you are seeking a home visit, you can also complete an online query form and I will contact you as soon as possible to arrange a time with you.
I am having a lot of trouble with feeding and need to be seen urgently. How long will it take to get an appointment?
I know how stressful this can be and understand that sometimes you need to be seen quickly. Please notify reception if you are needing urgent assessment and I will always try to see you as soon as possible.
For home visits, you can also complete an online query form and I will contact you as soon as possible to arrange a suitable time.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your Medicare cards, baby’s green book and any other information you may have regarding the pregnancy or birth. Where possible, please bring your baby ready to have a feed as this is an important part of the assessment. However please don’t leave your baby hungry if they can’t wait for the scheduled time! If you are bottle feeding, please bring one with you as I also like to assess bottle feeds as part of the consultation.
Are you taking on regular general practice patients?
No, not at this time. As the demand for mum and baby appointments has been high, I have made the difficult decision to cease normal general practice appointments. Infant feeding issues are often urgent and time sensitive, and I found I was unable to meet the needs of local mums when my general practice books were filled up for weeks. Fortunately, we have a wonderful team of doctors at Active Health who can take care of your ongoing needs. I am continuing with supervision and teaching of registrars.
Why do you book in both mum and baby?
For a comprehensive assessment of breastfeeding, sleep or settling issues it is necessary to take a history and usually examine both mum and baby. It is therefore a medicolegal requirement that I keep and record notes for both of you. This is also helpful as you are then able to access Medicare rebates for both mum and baby, which reduces the out of pocket cost significantly.
Do I need to be a permanent patient of your clinic to attend?
No, I very often see patients for help with feeding or sleep concerns who have a regular GP elsewhere. I am very happy to see you for your postnatal concerns and then return you back to the care of your usual doctor. I will need to take some basic information for your file such as allergies and past history, but can register you as a visiting patient. I am always happy to provide a letter or handover to your own doctor if required.
Do I need a referral to see you?
No, as a General Practitioner I can see anyone without requiring a referral.
I am concerned by baby may have a tongue or lip tie. Is this something you can help with?
Yes, I can. There is currently a lot of conflicting information out there regarding tongue ties and lip ties, and this can cause a lot of confusion and anxiety for parents trying to make decisions about this. My approach is to undertake a full history, observe a breastfeed or bottle feed and take you through a physical assessment of your baby’s oral anatomy before discussing treatment options with you. If it is clinically appropriate, I can perform a tongue tie release procedure during the consultation. It is important to ensure that your baby has had the Vitamin K injection at birth if a tongue tie release is to be performed.
What is your approach to sleep problems?
There are many ways to approach sleep and parents can often be overwhelmed with conflicting advice about this. Having four children of my own I know that all babies are unique and one-size-fits-all advice generally leads to frustration. I aim to help parents clarify what their parenting values are and what they feel would work best for their family. I will take a comprehensive history and also examine the baby or child to assess for any medical issues that could be impacting on their sleep. I have a very flexible approach that is individualised to each family's situation. I don't recommend strict routines or CIO methods. I am an accredited NDC practitioner with Possums Education.