Taking the first step to seek support for your child can feel like a big decision. This page covers everything you need to know before your child's first appointment at Growing Together Clinic - so you can arrive feeling prepared rather than uncertain.
Yes. A referral from a GP or paediatrician is required to access our services. But how you get one depends on where you are starting from.
If you already have a referral from your regular GP or another health professional, contact our clinic directly to book. Please bring your referral letter to your first visit.
Please note that Dr McVinish sees patients referred through Growing Together Clinic’s GP only. If you have an existing referral from an external GP, please contact our clinic to discuss the pathway – your first step will be an appointment with Dr Marium Rind, who will coordinate the referral to Dr McVinish from there.
No referral? No problem. Book an initial appointment directly with one of our GPs. This appointment is bulk billed – no out-of-pocket cost – and it is where your child’s journey begins. Our GP will listen to your concerns, review any existing reports, and determine the most appropriate next steps.
Do not stress about having everything perfectly organised. Bring whatever you have and we will work with it.
Your child’s first appointment will be with one of our GPs, who has a special interest in developmental and behavioural medicine. This is an extended consultation – not a quick check-in – designed to give us a thorough understanding of your child.
Your GP will take a full developmental and medical history, talk with you about your specific concerns, review any reports you have brought, apply structured screening tools where appropriate, and develop an initial care plan. By the end of the appointment, you will have a clear picture of the recommended next steps.You know your child better than anyone. This appointment is as much about listening to you as it is about assessing your child.
After your first appointment, your GP will discuss the recommended pathway with you. Depending on your child’s needs, this may include:
If a referral to our Paediatrician is recommended, you will not need to start the process again from scratch. Because your GP has already gathered the background information, the specialist appointment can focus on assessment and diagnosis straight away.
Most ongoing follow-up care – including medication reviews, management plans, and school support documentation – is managed by our bulk-billed GP in close consultation with our Paediatrician. This keeps your child’s care coordinated and costs manageable over time.
We understand that seeking support for your child can bring up a lot of emotions – uncertainty, relief, anxiety, or all of the above. Our team is here to support the whole family, not just your child. If you have questions before your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
