Our unit has two registrars – experienced doctors who are undertaking postgraduate training in paediatric medicine. They mostly work within the hospital, but also see children in clinic.
We also have two Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) rotating through our team. These are junior doctors gaining more experience in paediatrics. They mostly within the hospital, but also see some children in clinic under the supervision of a consultant.
We usually host third year medical students (student doctors) from Deakin University who are completing their rotations in paediatric medicine. They attend ward rounds, clinic sessions and assist with care when appropriate.
Our clinic is located on Ryot Street, just up the hill from the hospital’s emergency department. Initial appointments are 40-60 minutes long, and review appointments are generally 30 minutes long. You will be met by one of our friendly administrative officers, who will confirm your contact details are correct and help with Medicare details.
Before your appointment, please make sure you bring the following:
If your child is being seen for behavioural or developmental concerns, for example ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, mood disorders etc., please also bring the following (if possible):
The COVID19 pandemic has forced us to reduce the number of children and families seen in person in our clinic. At Warrnambool Paediatrics, we offer phone and video appointments for children that do not need to be physically examined at their appointment. This is at the discretion of the child’s paediatrician. Patients with urgent threats to life or health are always seen in person, as are those where physical examination is needed to guide their care. All other children are being offered telehealth appointments only at this time.
We have found that telehealth can be really useful for many of our patients with chronic illnesses, who live rurally and those with behavioural or developmental problems. We will continue to offer telehealth services after the pandemic to those families who might benefit from it.
To be seen at our clinic, children need to have a written referral from a GP or hospital specialist. This referral should contain as much information as possible. A GP referral is usually valid for 12 months; a specialist can only refer for 3 months. If your referral is not valid at the time of your appointment, you will be asked to get another so that we can bill you to Medicare.
Once we receive a referral, it is triaged (sorted) as below:
Many families have concerns that their child might have behavioural or learning difficulties, or features of autism or ADHD and seek advice on this to help get their children the best help and support.
Addressing these concerns is a team approach and before seeing a paediatrician, you should get a strengths and challenges assessment done by:
Unfortunately this paediatric clinic is no longer able to take new referrals for concerns around behaviour, autism, learning difficulties or ADHD. If you have these concerns about your child, we would suggest contacting CAMHS or child psychologists / paediatricians in Ballarat and Geelong to discuss further.
The best way to access these services (if you don’t have private health insurance) is to ask your GP for a Chronic Disease Management Plan or Mental Health Care Plan, which provides Medicare funding for your child to see these people.
Some public services and assessments are also available at South West Healthcare, by self-referring to Community Health and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
SWH Warrnambool is fully accredited by the RACP for advanced training in general paediatrics, with acute care, rural health and community paediatric endorsements. It is a fantastic place to spend 6-12 months and you will get experience here like no other place.
Professional benefits of working at Warrnambool include:
We have two registrars and two RMOs with us at any one time. The registrars are usually a GP trainee and a senior RACP trainee. Registrars work a 1-in-3 roster as first on-call but are not rostered for residential night shifts in the hospital. Shift swaps are easy and the department is very flexible with leave and personal commitments. All consultants live within 10 minutes of the hospital and are available 24 hours a day. Registrars are rostered for clinic on alternate weekdays, and have autonomy and flexibility in outpatient care.
Personal benefits include:
Warrnambool is a great place to live and work, and whilst our unit is small, it punches well above its weight in terms of training and lifestyle opportunities.
If you’re interested, please give us a call or email on: paediatrics@swh.net.au