Newcastle Paediatrician
Medivik’s Dr Vivek Akkera is a specialist paediatrician Newcastle families trust for comprehensive child health care. From newborn support and developmental assessments to teenage mental health and weight management, he supports families across Newcastle and the Hunter region through regular clinic visits in Singleton.
If you have questions, here is a good place to start.
Common Conditions We Treat
Children and teenagers up to 16 years old present at Medivik with a wide range of health, developmental and behavioural concerns. Dr Akkera provides specialist assessment and management for common paediatric conditions, including:
- Neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, autism and related developmental differences
- Behavioural and learning difficulties, including attention problems, emotional regulation and school-related concerns
- Feeding, growth and weight concerns, including feeding difficulties, poor weight gain and childhood weight management
- Newborn and infant concerns, including reflux, excessive crying, feeding difficulties and jaundice
- Ongoing medical conditions, such as recurrent infections, constipation, headaches, abdominal pain and asthma
- General paediatric concerns, including health issues that require assessment, diagnosis, treatment or ongoing monitoring
Specialist Paediatrician Newcastle Families Trust
Our lead paediatrician Dr Vivek Akkera combines extensive clinical experience with a practical, family-centred approach that helps parents feel informed, reassured, and supported at every stage of their child’s healthcare journey.
His experience and qualifications include:
- Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP)
- More than 16 years of paediatric experience across India, the United Kingdom, and Australia
- Nearly 10 years within the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- Neonatal training in Leicester, United Kingdom
- Member of the Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics (ASDP)
- Member of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA)
- Formally trained in ADOS-2 for autism assessments
Why Newcastle Parents Choose Medivik
Finding the right paediatrician involves more than choosing the nearest clinic. Newcastle and Hunter region families choose Medivik for specialised assessment pathways, continuity of care and a broader approach to managing their child’s health and development.
Specialised Neurodevelopmental Care
Medivik offers dedicated pathways for ADHD and autism assessments, alongside developmental and behavioural paediatric care. Where appropriate, care can extend beyond assessment and medication to include treatment planning, referrals to allied health professionals and other specialists, and supporting documentation for NDIS-related processes.
Continuity of Care as Your Child Grows
We support children across different stages of development, from newborn and infant care through childhood and the teenage years. This allows families to access a range of paediatric services within the same practice, with patients up to 18 years considered in select circumstances where ongoing paediatric care is appropriate.
Convenient Singleton Location
We bring paediatric consultations closer to families across Newcastle and the Hunter region at Dangar Medical Practice in Singleton. The location provides an accessible option for families who may otherwise need to travel further for paediatric care, with Singleton also connected to Newcastle and surrounding areas by public transport.
Could your child have ADHD or Autism?
Your Child's Journey
Your First Visit
Your journey begins here. Book your child’s first appointment through our online portal. A referral isn’t required, but it is if you’d like to claim a Medicare rebate.
Preparing for Your Visit
Please bring your referral letter, Medicare card, and Blue Book. School reports, past records, or short videos of symptoms are also helpful for giving us a clear picture.
Virtual Consultations
Some visits are easier from home. Telehealth lets you connect with your paediatrician clearly and reliably, without the stress of travel or waiting.
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The Day of Your Visit
Your first consultation usually lasts 40 minutes. You’ll find us at the Bond Building in Bella Vista, Dangar Medical Practice in Singleton, or the Riverside Park Office Tower in West Gosford.
What Can We Do For Your Child Today?
Parent Form
- Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 509/8 Elizabeth Macarthur Drive, Bella Vista
- 33 Dangar Rd, Singleton
- GF/69 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford
- 02 8530 8312
- 02 7249 3080
- info@medivik.com.au
- medivik.com.au
After Hours
Medivik is a specialist clinic and does not provide emergency care. For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP, visit your nearest hospital emergency department, or call 000.
Doctor Referral Form
Contact Information
- Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 509/8 Elizabeth Macarthur Drive, Bella Vista
- 33 Dangar Rd, Singleton
- GF/69 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford
- 02 8530 8312
- 02 7249 3080
- info@medivik.com.au
- medivik.com.au
After Hours
Medivik is a specialist clinic and does not provide emergency care. For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP, visit your nearest hospital emergency department, or call 000.
Questions We Often Get From Parents in Newcastle
How much does it cost to see a paediatrician at Medivik?
A standard first or annual paediatric consultation at Medivik is $650, with a current Medicare rebate of $265.60 for eligible consultations with a valid referral. This makes the expected out-of-pocket cost $384.40 after the rebate.
The $650 fee also applies to comprehensive ADHD and autism assessments. Follow-up consultations are generally $300 to $400, depending on the appointment type and length.
Learn more about our appointment fees here.
Do I need a referral for my child to see a paediatrician?
No. A GP referral is not required to book an appointment with Medivik, but a valid referral is generally required if the family wants to claim a Medicare rebate for a specialist consultation.
Families can arrange a referral through their usual GP in Newcastle, Singleton, Maitland or elsewhere across the Hunter region. For example, families who already receive care through John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital or other local medical centres can ask their GP to provide a referral to Medivik where appropriate.
A family can also book directly with Medivik without seeing their GP first, but the appointment will not be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Can a paediatrician prescribe medication for ADHD?
Yes. Paediatricians can prescribe ADHD medication in NSW when clinically appropriate and in accordance with the applicable prescribing requirements. NSW Health specifically authorises paediatricians, psychiatrists and neurologists under a class authority to prescribe psychostimulant medicines for ADHD in eligible patients.
Medication is not the only option. Depending on the child’s assessment and circumstances, ADHD management may also include behavioural strategies, school-based supports, allied health involvement and other treatment approaches. At Medivik, treatment planning can be tailored to the child’s needs rather than assuming medication is the appropriate starting point.
When should I take my newborn for a paediatric assessment?
A newborn does not necessarily need a private paediatrician appointment if they are well and receiving appropriate routine newborn care. A paediatric assessment may be appropriate when there are concerns about feeding, growth, reflux, excessive crying, jaundice, sleep or other aspects of early development, or when a baby has additional health needs such as prematurity.
For example, a baby who is struggling to feed or gain weight may benefit from a paediatric assessment to look at the broader picture rather than addressing feeding in isolation. Medivik provides newborn and infant care for concerns including feeding, growth, sleep, reflux and early health issues.
If a newborn is acutely unwell or has symptoms such as difficulty breathing, marked drowsiness, a seizure or blue or pale skin, urgent medical assessment is required rather than a routine specialist appointment.
When should a teenager see a paediatrician about their weight?
A teenager can benefit from paediatric assessment whenever there are concerns about their weight, growth pattern or the physical or emotional effects of weight changes. This is particularly worth discussing when weight is changing rapidly, lifestyle changes have not helped, or weight concerns are affecting the teenager’s mental health or wellbeing.
For example, an adolescent whose weight has increased significantly over a relatively short period may need more than general diet and exercise advice. A paediatric assessment can consider their growth and development, overall health, lifestyle, medications and possible underlying contributors before deciding what support is appropriate.
The goal is not simply to reach a particular number on the scales. Medivik’s child weight management approach considers the teenager’s overall health and development when determining appropriate next steps.