Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How do I book my first appointment?

For telehealth appointments you can easily book online through our secure portal here. Once you select a time, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to complete a quick intake form prior to our first session.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a face-to-face appointment in-clinic, you can contact Hunter Valley Paediatrics to arrange an appointment with Lisa at Mayfield, NSW.

Where are you located for a face-to-face appointment?

If you have made a face-to-face appointment, it will take place at Hunter Valley Paediatrics. The friendly staff will contact you to arrange and confirm your appointment.

Appointment location:

Level 2, 182A Maitland Road
Mayfield NSW 2304

PHONE: (02) 4070 9200

Parking & Public Transport

  • Parking: Convenient parking is available at the Woolworths car park, just a short 200-meter walk from our practice. Please allow a few extra minutes to park and walk over before your session.

  • Public Transport: Bus stops are located directly opposite our clinic and outside the Woolworths complex.

If you have any accessibility needs or questions before your visit, our friendly reception team is always happy to help!

Consultations

What happens during the Initial Consultation?

Your initial session (typically 60 minutes) is all about getting to know your child and your family. We’ll take a deep dive into:

  • Your child’s health history, medical background, and current concerns

  • Your family’s mealtime dynamics, daily routines, and sensory preferences

  • Your goals, lifestyle, and what realistic support looks like for you

  • We may analyse a typical day’s intake to see how closely your child is meeting their requirements for macro and micronutrients using gold standard nutrition analysis software.

By the end of this session, we’ll have a collaborative, personalised plan ready to implement.

What are Review / Follow-Up Consultations for?

Follow-up sessions (typically 30–60 minutes) are where the progress happens. We’ll review how your plan is working in practice, troubleshoot any challenges, dive deeper into specific nutrition topics (like gut health, recipe modifications, supermarket shopping hacks, or mealtime dynamics), and adjust your plan as your needs evolve.

Sometimes feeding therapy is required in which case we will decide if that will occur at your home or at your school or preschool/daycare.

Practical & Technical Details

Can I claim rebates through Private Health or Medicare?

  • Private Health Insurance: Depending on your provider and level of extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate for Dietetic services. We recommend checking directly with your fund.

  • Medicare: If you have an active Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan / GP Management Plan from your GP, you can receive a Medicare rebate for a set number of sessions per calendar year.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that life with little ones is unpredictable! If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please provide at least 48 hours' notice so we can offer the time slot to another client. Cancellations made with less notice may incur a fee.

For Paediatric & Feeding Support

How do I know if my child needs feeding therapy or dietetic support?

Mealtimes shouldn't feel like a battle. If your child is struggling with a restricted range of foods, extreme mealtime anxiety, sensory sensitivities (disliking certain textures, smells, or appearances), difficulty transitioning to solids, or poor weight growth, a specialised consultation can help bring peace back to the family table.

How do you support children and cautious/picky eaters?

We use a gentle, sensory-aware, and responsive approach to feeding (such as the SOS Approach to Feeding and Responsive Feeding therapy). Our primary goal is to remove stress from meal times, respect your child's unique sensory profile, and build long-term confidence around food for the whole family.

Can we work on family mealtime dynamics as well?

Absolutely. Feeding doesn't happen in isolation. A core part of our work involves reducing stress for the whole family, helping you set up a supportive mealtime environment, and coordinating strategies with your child's daycare, school, or other allied health providers (like OTs or Speech Pathologists).