Meet Our Paediatricians
At BodyMatters we are thrilled to be able to provide paediatric medical management by our specialised paediatricians, Dr Carina Burgess and Dr Samantha Hattle.
Our paediatricians have a special interest in eating disorders and have undertaken specific training and have explicit experience in eating disorder medical management. Through this, they work to support patients with their recovery across the full spectrum of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, and Avoidant Restrictive Intake Disorder (ARFID). In addition, they work with the many complexities and comorbidities that often present with eating disorders, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder and inattention concerns for both individuals and their families struggling with an eating disorder.
Our Paediatricians can address short term health goals including assistance with eating disorder care plan reviews, and can support the longer recovery period and longer term health and development.
Consulting a paediatrician at BodyMatters has a specific advantage in the opportunity for us to provide comprehensive, individualised and holistic care care across our multidisciplinary team.
Meet Our Paediatricians:
Dr Carina Burgess
Dr Burgess completed medical training at the University of Newcastle, and then completed Paediatric Specialist training within the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and has pursued subspecialist training in Developmental Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. She currently works as an Adolescent Staff Specialist at the Children’s Hospital Westmead with teenagers in the CICADA high risk teen drug and alcohol clinic, and the Complex Care team for which teenagers have a complex medical condition with functional impairment. She also works privately with children and their parents/carers at Developmental Medicine Consulting Neutral Bay where she sees children who despite their many strengths, are requiring support with one or more developmental challenges.
Dr Burgess works on Monday’s in our Parraween St office.
Dr Samantha Hattle
Dr Hattle, MBChB DCH FRACP, is a general paediatrician who completed her specialist training in child health across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals network. In addition to clinical expertise in general paediatric conditions, she worked for two years as adolescent fellow at Sydney Children’s Hospital, managing young people with drug and alcohol use difficulties, and at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, treating children and teenagers with eating disorders and accompanying mood and anxiety conditions. She has a particular interest in restrictive eating patterns and the effects of undernutrition on the body and brain.
Dr Hattle has attended training in family-based therapy for eating disorders, to support the work of the therapist, parents and the young person in their recovery. She seeks to understand each unique patient and their family in order to provide the support required not only to recover from an eating disorder, but to thrive!
Dr Hattle works on Thursday’s in our Parraween St office.
Things to know before consulting one of our paediatricians:
- Our paediatricians accept patients who are up to the age of 18 years
- A valid referral from a GP is required to book an appointment
- Appointments for treatment are face to face in our Parraween St office, We do not currently offer telehealth for paediatric appointments
- This is for specialist consultation and outpatient management. More immediate medical and mental health safety concerns should be managed with the appropriate use of acute services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is required prior to the initial appointment?
In order to book an appointment, a referral specifically addressed to Dr Burgess or Dr Hattle is required as well as any past blood tests and letters from relevant psychologists and/or doctors. Once an appointment has been booked in, you will be sent a ‘New Client Paediatrician Form’ which must be completed prior to your appointment.
How frequent are appointments required with a paediatrician?
Appointments can vary, at the end of each session your doctor will recommend when to make the next appointment; these can happen every week to every six weeks.
What is expected in the initial session?
In the initial session you can expect a very in depth appointment. Your doctor will speak with the client and their family during the session gathering all relevant information. Clients will be examined during the session which includes measurement of blood pressure, height, weight and heart rate measurement. A detailed plan will be put in place and a number of tests may be required for your child; this will be determined in session with your doctor.
If any medication is required this script will be provided at the end of the appointment. Depending on your child, follow-up appointments will differ.
My child’s health has deteriorated, what are my next steps?
If you are concerned about a further deterioration in your child’s mental health or general health please do not hesitate to contact your nearest emergency department. Our doctors are not available for emergency on-call sessions as BodyMatters is a private practice.
The NSW Mental Health line provides direct telephone access to expert mental health advice 24 hours a day telephone support service, established by the Minister for Mental Health to ensure that people with a mental health problem, their families and carers can access the care they need whenever and wherever they need it. You can contact them at: 1800 011 511.
PRICING, REFERRAL AND REBATE INFORMATION
Are rebates available for consultations?
Rebates for sessions are available with a valid referral.
How long does a referral last?
Referrals are valid for 12 months.
What is the rebate amount?
Each session’s rebate amount varies, we are unable to provide an exact amount until the claim has been processed at the end of your child’s appointment.
Please feel free to contact us in regards to pricing with our paediatricians.