Feeding Clinic – Paediatrics Community
The following service providers may be able to assist in the interim:
- Other community health services may be able to assist on a case-by-case basis
- GPs for a Chronic Disease Management Plan to refer privately
- Private clinicians. Please email ChildandFamilyProgram@Monashhealth.org for a list or visit Speech Pathology Australia Find a Speech Pathologist (speechpathologyaustralia.org.au) or Dietitians Australia Find a Dietitian (dietitiansaustralia.org.au)
- Maternal Child Health Nurses. If you are not already connected to a centre, please visit
Urgent cases
- Go to your closest Emergency Department if the child:
- is not feeding/drinking
- has a nasogastric tube that is dislodged
- is vomiting or choking
- Go to your nearest Priority Care Centre (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres-ppccs) – a number offer Allied Health Services
The Feeding Clinic provides support to infants and young children where there are concerns about growth and the development of feeding skills including:
- faltering growth/poor weight gain
- low birth weight
- history of enteral feeding
- difficulties with breast/bottle feeding
- gagging, coughing, choking and vomiting during meals
- stress at mealtimes (eg. Baby crying, back-arching, refusal)
- prolonged feed times
- difficulties with texture progression
- delayed transition to puree by 9 months
- delayed transition to finger foods by 12 months
- delayed development of self-feeding
- limited range of foods in diet
- medical issues affecting eating eg. prematurity, reflux, respiratory issues
- reduced mealtime enjoyment
Eligibility Criteria
This service is for children (from birth to school entry) who:
- Live, work, study or attend pre-school or childcare in the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Shire of Cardinia
- Children in the following groups are given priority for service:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- children involved with child protection
- refugees
- children in out-of-home care
- Clinical Priority is given to children with:
- faltering growth
- enteral feeding eg. Nasogastric tube
- infants and children under 2 years
This service is not for children who:
- come from high-income families
- are eligible for, or currently accessing:
- Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA),
- NDIS services
- Disability funding
- are already attending school
- have ‘fussy/picky eating’ associated with developmental delay as they are likely to be eligible for NDIS/ECEI and should be referred directly to NDIS.
Note: Children referred from 1 July of the year before they start school will not be accepted unless they are: under child protection, Refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Children or in Out-of-home Care.
Note: If the child lives, works, studies or attends pre-school or child-care outside the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire – please contact your local community health centre.
Referral Method(s)
Referrals should be sent by eReferral through Healthlink or by email.
Phone: 03 8572 5631
Email: icareaccess@monashhealth.org
Eligible Postcodes
City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire
- Greater Dandenong – 3171, 3172, 3173, 3174, 3175, 3975
- Casey – 3156, 3177, 3802, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3912, 3975, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3980
- Cardinia – 3139, 3159, 3781, 3782, 3783, 3806, 3807, 3808, 3809, 3810, 3812, 3813, 3814, 3815, 3816,3978, 3980, 3981, 3984,3987
Additional information required
Include all patient demographic and clinical details as well as relevant investigation results
Service contact details:
Service Enquiries: 8558 9000
Service Enquiries Email:childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org
Contact hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
Click here for more information about this service.
Please review the eligibility criteria before submitting a referral.