After many years of advocacy for the multidisciplinary care of children and young people with eating disorders, I was thrilled in 2019 to have paediatricians recognised as integral members of the care team with the launch of the MBS Eating Disorders Management Plans. This has enabled countless patients to access Medicare rebates to access holistic treatment using the paediatrician specific item numbers that I helped implement. 

I was delighted to be invited to co-present this workshop at the Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) being held this week with colleagues Josephine Money, Natasha Hepworth, Rebecca Gawler and Christie Bennett, focussed on team care of eating disorders patients throughout the community, including in private practice.

Grateful to present on the RSV Mother & Infant Protection Program at the Epworth Obstetric and Gynaecology Symposium at the Park Hyatt Melbourne. Supported by the Australian and State Government, this dual pronged strategy of the use of the maternal immunisation Abrysvo and the monoclonal antibody Niservimab in small children has seen a welcome reduction in the numbers of neonates and infants being admitted for severe RSV illness over the course of this winter. Thanks so much to the Norman Beicher Medical Research Foundation, Pfizer and many others for their support and sponsorship of the event.

We are pleased to invite you to the Epworth HealthCare Norman Beischer Foundation Obstetrics & Gynaecology Symposium on Friday, 22 August 2025, at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.

This year’s symposium will feature a range of thought-provoking presentations from leading experts, including Dr Suba Rudolph, General and Developmental Behavioural Consultant Paediatrician at Epworth HealthCare.

Dr Rudolph will present on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the new RSV Mother & Infant Protection Program introduced in Victoria this year. 

This event provides a unique opportunity for general practitioners to stay informed on developments in obstetrics, gynaecology, and related paediatric topics, while connecting with peers and specialists in the field.

Event Details: 

Date: Friday, 22 August 2025

Venue: Park Hyatt Melbourne

Time: 8.30am - 3:00pm

We hope you can join us for this important event.

Registration link:

https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/EOG2025/

Dr Suba Rudolph will discuss the importance of understanding children and their behaviour in a hospital setting.

By recognising how children respond to illness and treatment, healthcare providers can tailor their approach to better meet young patients’ needs.

This understanding helps optimise the overall patient experience, making hospital visits less stressful and more supportive for children and their families.

Last week, little beats brought big calm to our Paediatric Ward!

As part of the school holiday program, our music therapists Jean and Lucy helped soothe this 19-month-old patient with gentle tunes while he waited for surgery.

His parents (pictured) were so grateful for the moment of peace - and we are too

This fantastic program is led by Paediatrician, Dr Suba Rudolph and Leisure Therapist, Lotti Stein.

It is ideal to manage young patients with eating disorders in the community whenever possible to enable patients to live a less restricted life as they navigate through recovery.

I had the wonderful opportunity to present with Dr Sarah Trobe, NEDC's National Director, and General Practitioner Dr Emma Ratray from Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS), coordinated by The University of Melbourne, to collaborate on ways to best respond to eating disorders in the school setting.

The rates of debilitating eating disorders in children have been rising over recent decades, and sharply escalated over the pandemic. The key to driving down these concerning numbers of children falling victim in the future lies in community prevention and early intervention strategies.

I am thrilled to be involved in this national Medical Research Future Funded "ScreenED" Project, led by Dr Laura Hart and project managed by Ellie Tsiamis (pictured) from the University of Melbourne, aiming to devise a more precise and developmentally age appropriate earl detection tool for eating disorders in children under the age of 12 years.

It was exciting to receive the posters and flyers to kickstart recruitment today.

Paediatric Seminar This half day seminar will provide GPs, paediatricians, nurses and other interested health professionals with an update on a range of issues across paediatric health and wellbeing. ProgramPresented by the Women’s and Children’s Clinical Institute.

Dr Suba Rudolph, General and Developmental Behavioural Paediatrician, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Paediatric Seminar presented by the Women’s and Children’s Clinical Institute. This half-day seminar is designed for GPs, paediatricians, nurses, and other health professionals, offering the latest insights and updates on a broad range of issues affecting paediatric health and wellbeing. Dr Rudolph will share her expertise in the use of psychotropic medication in children.

Festive season can be challenging, especially for children. That’s why Austin Gifts donated a bundle of toys and activities to the Paediatric Ward just before Christmas.

All proceeds from our gift store, Austin Gifts, are generously donated to Austin Health. Last year, Austin Gifts directed their fundraising to the Paediatric Ward, providing a range of activities for our youngest patients. Toys, crafts, educational games and more were delivered to the ward in December and happily received. ‘‘We are so glad we can support the kids staying in hospital with activities to keep them busy – after all, it is Christmas,’’ said Austin Gifts manager Desley McMullin. In addition to Austin Gifts, Hey Caddy Preston are planning to hold a community fundraising activity to supply the Paediatric Ward with outdoor equipment. Consultant Paediatrician Dr Suba Rudolph says, ‘‘These gorgeous toys not only help our young patients to stay occupied, calm and happier during often distressing and frightening periods in hospital, but they also allow the children to continue to play, which is so important for their ongoing development and emotional wellbeing given they are out of their usual social and educational settings.’’ Combining the generosity in each purchase at Austin Gifts with a grassroots community fundraiser, we have been able to provide the Paediatric Ward with a fantastic range of activities.

Dr Suba Rudolph delivered an insightful presentation on Analgesia and Sedation during the Paediatric Seminar hosted by the Women’s and Children’s Clinical Institute on Saturday, 17 June 2023. Held at the Epworth Richmond Auditorium and streamed live via Zoom, the session highlighted best practices, safety considerations, and the latest advances in paediatric pain management.

Dr Rudolph shared practical guidance for clinicians, emphasising tailored approaches to sedation and analgesia that ensure both efficacy and comfort for young patients.

At the Paediatric Seminar hosted by the Women’s and Children’s Clinical Institute on Saturday, 19 March 2022, Dr Suba Rudolph delivered a comprehensive presentation on Asthma in Childhood. Speaking at the Epworth Richmond Auditorium and via Zoom, Dr Rudolph addressed key aspects of paediatric asthma management, including early diagnosis, individualized treatment strategies, and the role of family education in improving outcomes. Her presentation emphasized evidence-based approaches to care and the importance of proactive, tailored interventions.