Wait times & book closures regarding new patient referrals.

Reserves are kept in the associated specialists’ appointment books for more urgent referrals.

New patient wait times can still be significant, but every effort is made to offer more urgent new patients earlier appointments where possible. We hope to be able to bring most patients forward by a little or, if urgent, by many months.

Books closed

Josie Nozza - Books are currently closed to new referrals.

Dr Romain Briest, Paediatric Neurologist- books closed for new patient referral intake until at least October 2026. Dr Briest is relocating his private practice to Southside Kids, Daw Park in November 2026. Any referrals not accepted by 05/ 06/2026 will not be considered for acceptance and will be returned. Consider referral to a paediatrician or the Neurology Department at WCH or FMC. Patients approaching the age of 18 could be referred to an adult neurologist.

Open Books: Specialists with open books

The following specialists have cancellation lists and hope to bring appointments forward where possible. Priority is given to referrals triaged as more urgent.

Their approximate appointment wait times for non-neonate, non-urgent referrals are as follows:

Dr Lydia Kennedy, Neonatologist (under 2 years)- under 2 months.

General Paediatricians (limited capacity to accept some new patient referrals):

If there is extra capacity to bring forward some more urgent referrals, this will be indicated.

Where less urgent referrals are accepted, patients may be placed on a wait list for appointment offers until capacity allows an appointment to be offered.

Other referral options and pathways

Please consider other referral options and pathways instead of or concurrently with referral to a paediatrician, including Mental Health Care Plans and Team Care Plans, psychology assessment and therapy for developmental, mental health, behavioural and learning concerns and ADHD and ASD; Item 291 referral to a psychiatrist; audiology for hearing or learning or attention concerns; play therapy for under 11; allied health for developmental assessment and therapy (including for ASD and ADHD concerns), online and community programs and appropriate paediatric medical or surgical subspecialist referral.

For patients aged 17 years or more, please consider adult subspecialist referral.

New Patient Referral requirements for associated doctors
Professional correspondence -requirements and addresses