Dietitian
Dietitian Services in Sutherland Shire
Shire Doctors and Dentists provides dietitian appointments at our Caringbah practice for people seeking practical nutrition advice for their health needs and dietary goals.
A dietitian can help you understand how food choices relate to your health and develop an approach that considers your medical history, eating habits, preferences and lifestyle. Depending on your needs, an appointment may cover weight management, diabetes, digestive conditions, food allergies or intolerances, and general healthy eating.
Our practice is located at 6/416 Kingsway, Caringbah NSW 2229, next to Sutherland Hospital. Contact our team to enquire about dietitian appointments and current fees.
What Does A Dietitian Do?
Dietitians use nutrition knowledge and evidence-based guidance to help people make informed decisions about food and eating. They consider a person’s health, nutritional needs, preferences and circumstances when discussing dietary changes.
A dietitian appointment may involve reviewing your usual eating patterns, discussing a health condition, identifying practical changes and setting nutrition-related goals. Recommendations should be appropriate to your individual needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all diet.
Dietetic support may be useful for people managing a health condition, adjusting to specific dietary requirements or seeking guidance on balanced eating.
When Should You See a Dietitian?
You may wish to consult a dietitian if you need support with a health condition, a specific dietary requirement or changes to your eating habits. Depending on the services available at the practice, nutrition support may cover the following areas.
Weight management: Discuss eating patterns, nutrition needs and realistic goals suited to your circumstances.
Type 2 diabetes and blood glucose management: Understand how food choices may fit into your diabetes management plan.
Digestive health: Seek nutrition advice for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation or reflux, where appropriate.
Food allergies and intolerances: Discuss dietary choices and how to maintain nutritional adequacy while avoiding foods that cause a confirmed reaction.
General healthy eating: Review your usual diet and identify practical changes to support your nutritional needs.
Other nutrition concerns: Ask whether the dietitian can assist with your particular condition or whether a referral to another health professional is appropriate.
The suitability of dietetic support depends on your health needs and the practitioner’s scope of practice. Your dietitian may work alongside your GP or other healthcare professionals when coordinated care is needed.
How Can a Dietitian Help With Weight Management?
Weight management can involve more than changing food choices. Eating patterns, daily routines, health conditions, medicines, sleep, activity levels and other individual circumstances may all be relevant.
A dietitian can review your nutritional needs and discuss practical changes to your eating habits. This may include meal planning, portion guidance, food choices and setting goals that fit your preferences and routine.
There is no single eating plan that suits everyone. Your dietitian can help you consider an approach that supports your nutritional needs and is realistic for your circumstances. Progress and goals can be reviewed over time, with adjustments made when appropriate.
If weight changes are associated with a medical condition, disordered eating or other health concerns, your dietitian may recommend working with your GP or another relevant health professional.
Dietary Requirements: Food Allergies and Intolerances
Food allergies and food intolerances are different. A food allergy involves an immune system response and can sometimes cause a severe reaction. A food intolerance generally describes difficulty tolerating a particular food or ingredient and can cause symptoms after consumption.
Managing a confirmed food allergy may involve avoiding the relevant allergen while maintaining an adequate and varied diet. A dietitian can help with food choices, label reading and planning meals that meet your nutritional needs, where this service is available and appropriate.
Food intolerances can have different causes, so it is important not to remove multiple foods from your diet without suitable guidance. Restrictive diets may make it harder to meet nutritional requirements. Your general practitioners or another appropriate clinician can help assess symptoms and determine whether further investigation is needed.
A dietitian does not replace medical assessment for a suspected allergy. If someone is experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, use their prescribed adrenaline injector if available and call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
What Does It Cost to See a Dietitian?
The cost depends on the type of appointment and whether you are eligible for a rebate or funded service.
Private dietitian appointments are charged at the practice’s listed fee. Eligible patients may be able to access a Medicare rebate for certain dietitian consultations under a relevant Chronic Condition Management Plan. Eligibility requirements apply, and a GP referral alone does not guarantee a rebate.
Private health insurance cover varies by policy and insurer. If you are seeking care through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), contact the practice to confirm current eligibility and arrangements before booking.
For current consultation fees and applicable rebates, please see our fees page or contact the practice before your appointment.
Meet Our Shire Dietitian
Alyssa Payne
Consultant Dietitian
Alyssa has been an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) for 10 years and holds a full membership with the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). Since 2014, she has worked in an assortment of environments including medical centres/general practices, home visits, retirement villages, nursing homes and a private hospital. In each environment Alyssa provides dietary services privately, through Medicare, and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). Both Face-to-face and Telephone consults are available.
For Dietitian Services in the Sutherland Shire: Visit Shire Doctors and Dentists
The dietitian team at Shire Doctors and Dentists aims to provide tailored advice and support to guide you towards improved nutrition and diet choices to better your overall health and wellbeing. We listen to your needs and goals and use our experience and knowledge to devise recommendations and plans to reach your desired outcome.
We are fully committed to providing the best possible treatment for every patient that we see. Call on (02) 9063 8650 or leave us an online message and our team will get back to you to answer your questions and assist you with making an appointment!
FAQs:
Our dietitian provides support to patients with digestive issues, weight management problems, food allergy, food intolerance and general healthy eating. Our personalised advice tailored to your personal health objectives.
Yes. Our consultant is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with 10 years of experience and is a full member of the Dietitians Association of Australia.
Yes, both options are available. An appointment is recommended, either over the telephone or at our centre.
A GP referral is not required to book an appointment. However, having a referral may allow you to access Medicare rebates if you are eligible.
Please call our clinic at (02) 9063 8650 or arrange an appointment online by speaking with our team.
Yes. Appointments are available as private bookings, and also through Medicare or DVA if you are eligible.
