MPC Updates
Finals Season, Hay Fever Season
This week in clinic we've been talking about stuffy noses and itchy eyes. Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that is often undertreated, and the symptoms have a big impact on kids sleep, appetite, energy levels, and ability to concentrate.
Click here to access my favourite resource on hay fever.
Here are the top things that many people don't know about managing hay fever:
1. Hay fever tablets
- There are other treatment options! If your symptoms are debilitating, take this sample action plan to your GP to discuss treatment options.
- Oral antihistamines work best if you take them before your symptoms
2. Nasal sprays
- Nasal sprays are safe and effective for hayfever
- Medicated nasal sprays take at least one week to work, so start taking them on Grand Final day to prepare for the October grass pollen season
- Some nasal applicators need to point into your nasal passage, not just up your nostril. See the video above for a demonstration
3. Simple measures can reduce how much allergen your body meets
4. Immunotherapy is a treatment option for people with severe allergic rhinitis where the allergen is difficult to avoid eg pollen.
Be well and Go Cats!
- Dr Patrick 5.09.2026
Sleep and behaviour
A mentor in developmental paediatrics started a lecture with "don't do ANYTHING until you've sorted out sleep." The most common sleep disorder I see in clinic is sleep onset association, where a child has developed a habit to get to sleep which no longer works for them or the family. Here are my favourite resources on helping kids with this at different stages of life:
Sleep and Behaviour - Kids Health Info
Popculture parenting - Big Daddy
Sleep with Kip - multiple stories for primary school aged children
Teenage Sleep | Sleep Health Foundation
- Dr Patrick 28.7.26
Kids and Concussion
We're in the middle of the winter school sports season. More kids are sustained sports-related head injuries and presenting to the emergency department. It's great that there is increased awareness of concussion and long term effects like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE.) Most codes have clear head injury and concussion assessment protocols. I feel the next steps are awareness of risk factors, targeted rehab, and referral to specialist concussion services if symptoms persist after four weeks.
The Australian and New Zealand Consensus Guideline released earlier this year identifies ADHD and learning difficulties as risk factors for concussion after head injury.
HeadCheck is an excellent app developed by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute with data from the Royal Children's Hospital concussion clinic. Plug in the details of the child's injury and symptoms, and it will generate a physiotherapy and neuropsychology rehab programme for you. If required, your GP can refer you to RCH or Monash concussion clinics for more bespoke rehab programmes.
- Dr Patrick 28.6.26
Kids and Influenza - new intranasal vaccine available in Victoria
The 2025 flu season was long. Every week from June to November I met at least one child requiring transfer to intensive care. Most were previously healthy, and under 5 years old. Immunisation can prevent this, and prevent a miserable week at home with a miserable child.
This year Australia has FluMist. Intranasal immunisation is as effective as traditional intramuscular immunisation and has been used in the US and Europe for 15 years. Children 2-17 years old are eligible in Victoria so ask your GP practice nurse.
For families keen to contribute to research into childhood immunisation, my colleague Dr Shidan Tosif at RCH is researching this years immunisations with the SNIFFLES project. Families can learn about and sign up to the study here.
Tune in to Kids Health Info podcast on Influenza 2026 to hear expert advice from Dr Nigel Crawford.
- Dr Patrick 28.5.26
Social Media
Aged based social media restrictions come into place tomorrow. Young people will have some strong feelings about this which is perfectly fine. My advice for parents: this is a good opportunity to acknowledge feelings. Be curious, and be there alongside your kids and their feelings. If your teen says how unfair it is, explore their idea of fairness rather than explaining why it's good for them or the reasons behind the legislation.
Teenage years are about exploring our identity. Who am I? What do I believe? Where do I belong? We explore this through relationships and experiences. As parents, a good approach is to explore what they are looking forward to, and coach / workshop ideas for achieving similar goals without social media accounts. A collaborative approach would be doing our own social media restriction alongside our kids! Here are my preferred and trusted resources on the changes:
One sec is a great app for kids and parents with impulsive app use.
Headspace guide for young people about the social media restrictions
7 tips for supporting young people through the social media restrictions
UNICEF take on the social medial restrictions
eSafety Commissioner explanation of social media restrictions
- Dr Patrick 9.12.25
Kids can learn take tablets
This week in the emergency department, the clinic and my home, we've been helping kids learn to take medication. There are lots of different reasons why people can struggle to take tablets but I always frame it as a skill that we can learn and practice. It's much easier to be calm and fun when the child is well - an unwell toddler can inspire a well older sibling to try to learn. Rewards can be powerful. Here are my favourite resources about learning to swallow tablets, framing it in a fun way with a growth mindset.
Kids Health Info Podcast - great episode with the lovely Dr Amanda Stock
RCH "Child's Guide to Hospital" - a beautiful, child led, practical guide for children and young people.
RCH Pharmacy - written information and downloadable pamphlet
- Dr Patrick 30.11.25
Finals Season, Hay Fever Season
This week in clinic we've been talking about stuffy noses and itchy eyes. Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that is often undertreated, and the symptoms have a big impact on kids sleep, appetite, energy levels, and ability to concentrate.
Click here to access my favourite resource on hay fever.
Here are the top things that many people don't know about managing hay fever:
1. Hay fever tablets
- There are other treatment options! If your symptoms are debilitating, take this sample action plan to your GP to discuss treatment options.
- Oral antihistamines work best if you take them before your symptoms
2. Nasal sprays
- Nasal sprays are safe and effective for hayfever
- Medicated nasal sprays take at least one week to work, so start taking them on Grand Final day to prepare for the October grass pollen season
- Some nasal applicators need to point into your nasal passage, not just up your nostril. See the video above for a demonstration
3. Simple measures can reduce how much allergen your body meets
4. Immunotherapy is a treatment option for people with severe allergic rhinitis where the allergen is difficult to avoid eg pollen.
Be well and Go Cats!
- Dr Patrick 29.09.2025
June 2025 - Welcome Belinda! Our new medical receptionist
I’m excited to join the team!
I look forward to meeting you and your family in the clinic. Please note I work on Mondays to Wednesday.
I’m here to help and make your experience as smooth as possible. Please get in touch if you need anything.
Notice of Practice Relocation
Melbourne Paediatric Clinic relocated in June 2024.
New location:
Suite 3, Plenty Rd Consulting Suites
135 Plenty Rd (Cnr Greenhills Rd).
Bundoora
Located directly opposite the main hospital building. Entrance only from hospital carpark on Greenhills Rd.