Neonatal Paediatric Services and Fees

The George Centre is proud to offer a highly skilled and experienced team of paediatricians. After the birth of your baby, in accordance with NSW Department of Health Guidelines, your obstetrician will arrange for a paediatrician to assess your newborn. If you have a preferred paediatrician in mind, please let your obstetrician know in advance. Otherwise, they will gladly coordinate one on your behalf. To view the paediatricians accredited at The George Centre, please follow this link:

Paediatricians at The George Centre

Paediatricians operating at The George Centre are part of an on-call roster, ensuring your baby has access to safe, high-quality care 24/7. This covers both emergencies and routine check-ups in the days following birth. Should an emergency arise, your preferred paediatrician might not be immediately available; in this scenario, the on-call doctor will attend to your baby. Care can easily be transferred back to your chosen specialist once it is appropriate to do so.

The initial days of your newborn’s life are a critical period of adjustment. During this time, they require specific medical assessments, and occasionally, additional medical support may be necessary.

Fees

Paediatrician fees generally align with the rates recommended by the Australian Medical Association. You will receive a separate bill directly from the paediatrician for their care. Please be aware that paediatrician fees are billed independently of your hospital and other associated charges.

In-hospital paediatric consultations qualify for Medicare rebates and, depending on your circumstances, may also be eligible for the Medicare Safety Net. For those eligible, there is typically a gap between the paediatrician’s fee and the Medicare rebate. This out-of-pocket gap will be no higher than $300 for the duration of your baby’s hospital stay (covering all consultations). If you do not hold Medicare cover, we advise speaking directly with your paediatrician regarding expected costs. Note that unless your baby is admitted to the Special Care Nursery, private health fund rebates are generally not applicable.

If your newborn does require admission to the Special Care Nursery, you may then be able to claim a rebate through your private health insurer. For more details, consult your health fund or our Maternity Bookings team. As a reminder, your total out-of-pocket expenses will not exceed $300.

To successfully claim any eligible rebates, it is important to add your newborn to your Medicare card and private health insurance policy as soon as possible after birth.

If you require further clarification regarding these services or fees, please reach out to your obstetrician or your designated paediatrician servicing The George Centre.