For GPs & Health Professionals
Refer a Patient to Ausclin
A straightforward referral pathway to our Accredited Practising Dietitians in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, in-clinic or via telehealth across NSW. No referral is required, but we’re set up to work smoothly with GP Management Plans, Eating Disorder Plans and specialist referrals.
Ausclin is a team of Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) providing evidence-based, non-judgemental clinical nutrition care across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region, with telehealth available Australia-wide. We work alongside GPs, psychologists, endocrinologists, obstetricians and other allied health professionals as part of a patient’s broader care team. This page covers how to refer, what to include, and the conditions we see most often.
How to refer
No referral is required for a patient to book with us directly, so you’re welcome to simply recommend Ausclin. For patients accessing a Medicare rebate, ask them to bring their referral paperwork to the first appointment:
- GP Management Plan / Chronic Disease Management referral, for ongoing conditions such as PCOS, diabetes-related nutrition needs, or general chronic disease dietetics.
- Eating Disorder Plan, for patients meeting the criteria for Medicare-subsidised eating disorder dietetics.
- Specialist or private referral, from an obstetrician, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, psychologist or other treating practitioner.
- DVA or NDIS-funded referrals, where applicable.
You can send a referral, or ask your patient to make contact directly:
Phone: (02) 4091 9889 | Email: contact@ausclin.com.au | Online: Contact form or book directly via Halaxy
If useful to include, relevant medical history, current medications, recent pathology or blood test results, and the reason for referral help us prepare for the first consultation, though these aren’t required to refer.
Clinical-grade care, close to home or via telehealth.
In-clinic in Mount Hutton, or telehealth across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter, Central Coast and beyond.
Conditions and areas we see
Our team covers general and clinical dietetics, with particular depth in women’s health and eating disorders:
See the full Services page for more detail on our scope of practice.
Patients prescribed a GLP-1 medication
Dietitians Australia and Exercise & Sports Science Australia have called for funded referral pathways to an Accredited Practising Dietitian for people prescribed GLP-1 medications. We see these patients for the food and nutrition side of care, alongside the prescriber. Treatment decisions, including starting or stopping a medication, stay with you and your patient.
- What the consult covers. Eating enough protein, vitamins and minerals on a smaller appetite, managing nausea and constipation, looking after muscle, and planning for when treatment stops.
- Who it suits. Patients already prescribed a GLP-1 medication, including those about to start.
- Eating disorder history. Our team also provides eating disorder dietetics, so patients with a history of disordered eating can be seen with the right support.
- Format. A 45-minute consult by telehealth Australia-wide, or in person at Mount Hutton.
- Funding. Patients with an eligible chronic condition may be able to use Medicare-subsidised allied health visits through a GP chronic condition management plan (up to five a year, shared across professions). Private health cover may also apply.
Patients can book directly without a referral. Our GLP-1 medication support page explains the consult for patients, and our one-page handout on eating well on GLP-1 medication, with questions to bring to a dietitian, can be given to patients when treatment is prescribed. For background, see the joint call for funded dietitian support, which is a proposal and has not changed Medicare funding.
Telehealth for patients outside Newcastle
If your patient can’t easily attend in person, our dietitians see clients via telehealth across the Hunter, Central Coast, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie, Taree and Dubbo, as well as Australia-wide online. Medicare rebates apply to telehealth consultations in the same way as in-clinic visits, where the referral criteria are met.
Frequently asked questions
Does my patient need a referral to see Ausclin?
No, patients can book directly without a referral. A referral is only needed if your patient wants to access a Medicare rebate, in which case a GP Management Plan (Chronic Disease Management), Eating Disorder Plan, or eligible specialist referral applies.
Which Medicare plans do you accept?
We see patients under GP Management Plans (Chronic Disease Management), Eating Disorder Plans, and eligible DVA and NDIS-funded referrals. Private health cover may also provide rebates, patients should check their own policy.
Do you offer telehealth for patients outside Newcastle?
Yes. We see clients via telehealth across the Hunter, Central Coast and further afield, including Australia-wide online consultations, with the same Medicare rebate eligibility as in-person visits where referral criteria are met.
Can I refer a patient who has been prescribed a GLP-1 medication?
Yes. Patients already prescribed a GLP-1 medication, including those about to start, can book our GLP-1 medication support consult directly, by telehealth or in person at Mount Hutton. We work on the food and nutrition side alongside the prescriber, and treatment decisions stay with the prescriber. Medicare allied health visits may apply through a GP chronic condition management plan where the patient has an eligible chronic condition.
Can you communicate with the referring GP or treating team?
Yes, we’re happy to correspond with a patient’s treating team, including providing updates on request, as part of collaborative, multidisciplinary care.
What’s your approach to eating disorders and women’s health?
Our team provides inclusive, trauma-informed, weight-inclusive care as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team. We work alongside GPs, psychologists and psychiatrists on shared care plans where relevant.
Who are the dietitians at Ausclin?
Felicity Bull and Tahnia Middleton are both Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) and members of Dietitians Australia. See their full profiles for background and areas of interest.