Baby Steps Health Centre is a great place to bring your child for vaccinations, recurring problems, and developmental assistance. The founder, Dr Leon Levitt, regularly visits the space, greets new patients, and even takes on cases himself. 

Even if you don’t end up under his direct care, the whole project has excellent healthcare professionals that are very good with children. The main pediatrician in the clinic is Dr Steven Bilkey, whose calm personality and patience are traits we really appreciate. 

A curious thing we noticed is the lack of a full staff list you can easily check on their website. That said, this shouldn’t be too much of a concern since their staff is very approachable and informative when you visit. 

Overall, it’s not a big risk to check out Baby Steps and its doctors because of how well they take care of each case. They’re very consistent in delivering excellent medical work. 

We did notice that wait times can sometimes be troublesome here. Considering the size of the health centre, though, it’s somewhat understandable. 

Their online booking is generally reliable but doesn’t always have a complete list of all their practitioners. You’d be better off calling them or dropping by during their clinic hours. 

Perth CDC has a pretty wide array of specialties but they really shine most in speech therapy and developmental assessments. 

Dr Indrajit Karande is one of the co-founders of the practice and takes on a majority of cases. Despite his vast experience, he carries himself in a really kind and nurturing way when speaking with children. 

We appreciate his willingness to take on questions without judgement or an attempt to hurry things along. Of course, his associates Monika More and Dr Geoby Paul are also really great at handling even the most challenging patients.

Considering their hospital location, it can be a little intimidating for little ones. We recommend bringing something to comfort your child. 

That said,  there is a distinct shift when you enter the actual Perth CDC space. You can tell they took conscious efforts to make the space feel more welcoming for children that may be anxious about getting checked. 

Dr Karande himself also takes great care in explaining things in thorough yet understandable terms, so it’s comforting for both children and their parents. You’ll also get a breakdown of your whole treatment plan after your consultation.

If you’re worried about being exposed to other hospital patients on your way to the clinic, you’ll be comforted to know that it’s just on the first level and has its own waiting area inside. 

Just make sure you secure a booking first to ensure a spot for assessment. We also don’t really like their e-mail system, as it is largely unresponsive.

You have a better chance of getting a response using their HealthShare booking platform. You can also give them a call, but we find that it can be a hit or miss depending on how busy they are for the day. 

What makes Dr Ian Everitt stand out in this list is that he still actively takes on emergency cases. This can be very helpful for new parents and those that want specialised attention for their child. 

Dr Everitt’s practice is very child-friendly. From the decorations to the way everything is set up, you won’t have a had time bringing even feistier children here. 

We did note some distinct changes since the pandemic, like the removal of some toys and colouring books. If your child is easily bored, you’ll have to bring your own stuff.

One thing we really appreciate about the practice, though, is that it comes with free parking. It’s not a small lot, either, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a spot.

We also like that it’s very accessible, which isn’t always the case with private practices. They have wheelchair access and are open to setting appointments outside of clinic hours for parents that can’t free up their daytime schedule.

Lisa handles booking and she’s generally quite responsive. You can also sign up for SMS reminders for your appointment once you get a slot. 

If you’re going to visit Dr Everitt, take note that he doesn’t do developmental or behavioural assessments. He is great with a variety of concerns but will likely refer you elsewhere if you’re trying to get treatment for conditions like ADHD. 

Overall, Dr Everitt is a very reliable expert in his field and sticks to his purview. He’s very kind and even offers support after hours without shaming patients. 

Dr Naeem Samnakay is the pediatrician to reach out to if your child is having problems with blockages and urinary function. Although his specialties are geared more toward male children, he also has vast experience in handling female cases.

What makes him a great choice is that he is a practising surgeon, so any complicated cases and operations can be handled with ease. He shares his practice with Dr Andrew Barker, who is also a fantastic pediatric surgeon in his own right. 

Dr Samnakay actually has other consulting locations in Perth, but his head office is in the Nedlands. The area is quiet enough that it’s not overwhelming to visit, though there are a lot of other people coming in because of other practices in the building. 

While we had a pretty positive experience trying to reach out to his office, we also find that the experience can be hit or miss depending on the receptionist. Although responsive, you aren’t guaranteed the warmest greeting or conversation. 

Even if that’s a little offputting, the good doctor himself is actually very personable. He explains everything thoroughly and makes sure you understand all the options. 

One more thing we appreciate about Dr Samnakay’s approach is that he won’t force you to take his recommendations. He simply lays everything out and lets you know what he deems the best solution.

The case with Saw Paediatrics is a little complicated because it has been absorbed by Perth Paediatrics. The problem that has plagued the latter is their messy administration and referral system that we ourselves experienced, too.

We still need to put Dr Chia Saw here, though, because he himself is one of the best specialists you can find. He is very thorough, gentle with children, and highly experienced with complicated developmental issues. 

He advocates for nature and the use of behavioural modification based on positive reinforcement, so your child will definitely have a more pleasant treatment process. He also handles other pediatric concerns holistically.

Saw Paediatrics itself is a marvel that is simply bogged down by its partnerships. We recommend reaching out through his Healthshare to get to him directly.

Due to high demand, he only takes on Tuesday and Saturday bookings now. He has also stopped accepting referrals dealing with developmental pediatrics. 

When bookings start easing up, you can expect him to have weekdays available for appointments. If you can wait for a slot and a proper booking, his comprehensive approach and amiable nature are worth it.