Paediatricians study for at least 6  years beyond medical school to focus on the wide range of  physical health,  mental health, behavioural and developmental issues that present in infancy, childhood and adolescence. 

Our paediatricians know Hobart well.  We are used to managing a very broad range of health conditions, and also know when we need to seek subspecialist support. 

If required we are able to link your child to our local paediatric neurologist and  our local rehabilitation specialist, as well as to the various visiting sub specialists ( paediatric gastroenterology, paediatric cardiology, paediatric endocrinology).

Occasionally we will seek interstate paediatric subspecialty support, and will guide you when support from paediatric physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and paediatric psychologist is required. 

We can guide your family when additional mental health support is required, be it from the public Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services or from our own Private Paediatric Psychiatrists.

In Hospital

Many of the members of Hobart Paediatric Group are part of the team providing 24 hour on call support to the maternity wards of Calvary Hospital and Hobart Private.

Sometimes your obstetrician requests that we meet you before the delivery of your baby, to discuss a particular issue of concern.  We always make sure such appointments occur in a timely fashion. 

We attend many deliveries, in particular all private caesarean sections, as well as vaginal deliveries when your obstetrician is concerned your baby may be distressed or in need of extra care.  We attend deliveries of premature babies and work with the  Calvary and Hobart Private nurseries to provide care to premature babies of 34 weeks and beyond. 

We commonly assume the care of premature babies born at earlier gestations (less than 34 weeks) when they are ready to be transferred from Neonatal Intensive Care at the Royal Hobart Hospital.  

Rarely, if your baby is sick or very premature, our experienced team will liase with the specialists in the Neonatal Intensive Care to organise safe transfer.  Our paediatricians will follow the progress of your baby while in intensive care, and will assume care again once your baby has sufficiently recovered.

The First Year

This is often one of the most intense phases of the journey of parenthood.  Sometimes sleep settling and feeding can be very challenging indeed. 

Our paediatricians will guide you through,  utilising the help of lactation consultants, speech pathologists, sleep consultants and parenting supports if and when required. 

We are fortunate to have limited private paediatric psychiatry services within the practice. Our psychiatrist is a specialist in child and adolescent mental health with family therapy experience. A complete psychiatric assessment involves a comprehensive understanding of the whole family, often gained over a number of appointments.

Unfortunately we are unable to currently accept new outside referrals due to lack of availability.

The Hobart Paediatric Group is delighted to offer the expertise of paediatric physiotherapist Susie Potito. Susie provides specialised physiotherapy for children of all ages (babies through to adolescents), with a strong focus on developmental support and continence care. She offers compassionate, evidence-based assessment and treatment to meet each child’s unique needs.

Continence Expertise

Susie provides sensitive, practical support for children and families managing bladder and bowel health, including:

• Functional constipation

• Faecal incontinence or soiling

• Day and night time urinary incontinence

• Dysfunctional voiding, urinary urgency and frequency (overactive bladder)

• Toilet refusal

• Continence challenges related to developmental conditions

Developmental Physiotherapy

Susie is equally committed to helping children reach their developmental milestones. She supports children with:

• Developmental delays

• Neurological conditions

• Musculoskeletal concerns

• Gait and balance difficulties

• Early motor skill development in infants and young children

Susie consults at Hobart Paediatric Group on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with limited school or community visits available on Thursdays. She sees self-managed and plan-managed NDIS clients. Availability is limited so please contact us before booking to confirm her services are the right fit for your needs.

The Hobart Paediatric Group is pleased to offer the services of paediatric occupational therapist Fiona O’Keeffe.

Fiona uses a broad range of intervention functions with the main purpose to provide maximal independence and optimal, practical life skills for children as they transition into adulthood.

Please contact us before booking to confirm her services are the right fit for your needs.

We are working hard to collate valuable information and resources for parents and carers on supporting their child and family.

Please find our parent information here.