You don’t need to do it all alone.

You just need the right team.

And that’s why we’re here.

What is Banksia Paediatrics?

Banksia Paediatrics is a private paediatric clinic on the Central Coast. It is a co-located practice, bringing together paediatricians and independent health professionals to support children and families.

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What are Banksia's Services?

General & Developmental Paediatrics

Our paediatricians provide thorough assessments and tailored care plans to fit your child’s unique needs. They have expertise across a wide range of paediatric issues, click on their profiles to learn more!

While both our Paediatricians books are closed for 2026, they will be welcoming new patients in 2027!

Whilst a paediatrician might be what you are searching for, have you considered a session with an early intervention specialist? Sophie Simmons is Banksia’s trusted, on-site early intervention specialist. Take a look below to see if she could help your family navigate your child’s healthcare pathway while you wait for a consult with a paediatrician. 

A GP referral is required to secure an appointment 

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Early Intervention & Keyworker Services

Early intervention service supports your child’s development through play-based, individualised therapy that builds confidence, skills, and meaningful participation in everyday life. We work closely with families to provide practical strategies and coordinated support that help your child thrive at home, in learning environments, and in the community.

If you are unsure where to start, an early interventionist session can offer deep insight into your child’s best path forward and connect you with the right network of practitioners.

Request an appointment

Diet, Nutrition & ARFID

Our dietitian partners with families to build strong nutritional foundations for your child’s growth, development, and long-term health through personalised, practical care. From fussy eating to complex needs, they provide clear, realistic strategies that reduce mealtime stress and help your child thrive.

Are you open to free call with a dietician to see if this is the right step for your child?

Book a free call through our admin team today!

Book a FREE call

Where is Banksia Paediatrics?

Banksia Paediatrics is on the Central Coast, NSW.

We are located in suite 2.33 West Wing of the Platinum Building, 4 Ilya Ave, Erina NSW 2250.

Why Choose Banksia?

We are establishing our clinic to serve the community for many years to come.

Our belief is, resilient children build resilient communities.

We achieve this by acting with our core values: growth, transparency, accountability, compassion and resilience.

You can book with confidence knowing you will have a committed, compassionate and skilled team working with you to help you, your child and your family long into the future.

Banksia Paediatrics Core Vales

How do I Contact Banksia Paediatrics?

Call or email us and we will respond as soon as we can!

We’re happy to help! Reach out for any questions.

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FREE RESOURCES!

We want to provide you with as much value as we can.

Check out the Banksia Pod for our free resources on child health, parenting and more!

We wrote everything with parents in mind so hopefully you’ll find it useful. 

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Dr. Dannielle Gregson

Clinical Director
Developmental Paediatrician

Dr Dannielle Gregson is an experienced paediatrician who cares for children from birth to 18 years with a wide range of medical, developmental and behavioural concerns. She has a particular focus on developmental, social and behavioural presentations, including ADHD, autism, sleep difficulties and learning challenges. Her approach centres on helping families feel heard, supported, and clear on what is happening and what to do next.

Danni studied medicine at The University of Western Sydney and completed a Master of Public Health at The University of New South Wales. She has worked in paediatrics since 2014, completing her training at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. She has extensive experience as a Community Paediatrician across South-Western Sydney, and continues to work at Kids Health Space Oran Park.

Danni is known for her thoughtful, compassionate and practical approach. She places a strong emphasis on understanding each child within the context of their family and environment, and works closely with families to explain concerns clearly and develop realistic, individualised plans they can move forward with confidence.

She collaborates closely with parents, allied health professionals, educators, GPs and others involved in a child’s care to ensure a consistent and well-coordinated approach.

As a mother of two young boys, Danni understands the realities of parenting and the uncertainty that can come when concerns arise. She believes that all children are good inside, and takes a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that focuses on building each child and family’s capacity over time.

Dr Gregson, Dr Dannielle Gregson, Dr Danielle Gregson

Dr Shahnaz Akter

General Paediatrician

Dr Shahnaz Akter, known as Dr Shaz, is a General Paediatrician who cares for infants, children and adolescents with a wide range of medical, developmental and behavioural concerns. She takes a holistic, family-centred approach, with a strong focus on understanding each child and ensuring families feel heard, supported, and clear on what to do next.

Dr Shaz completed her medical degree in Bangladesh in 2005 and has worked in paediatrics since 2006. After moving to Australia in 2012, she undertook specialist training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, achieving Fellowship (FRACP). She has worked across both tertiary and regional paediatric settings, with experience in inpatient and outpatient care, neonatology, emergency paediatrics, and developmental and behavioural paediatrics.

She supports families with a broad range of common paediatric concerns, including feeding and growth challenges, nutrition, recurrent infections, asthma, eczema and allergy-related conditions, as well as learning, behavioural, attention and emotional regulation difficulties.

Dr Shaz is known for her warm, thoughtful and practical approach. She places a strong emphasis on clear communication and shared decision-making, helping families understand what is happening and providing clear, realistic plans they can follow with confidence.

Alongside her work in private practice, Dr Shaz is a Staff Specialist Paediatrician at Manning Base Hospital in Taree. She lives on the Central Coast with her family and, as a mother of two, brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her care. She works closely with parents, educators, GPs and other professionals involved in a child’s care to support consistent and well-coordinated care.

Sophie Simmons

Early Intervention Practitioner & Keyworker Specialist
Nurture Intervention

Sophie Simmons is an experienced Early Intervention Practitioner and Keyworker who supports young children and their families through developmental, behavioural, and learning challenges. She works across both direct therapy and family support, helping children build skills while guiding parents, educators, and carers with practical strategies, advocacy, and coordinated care.

Sophie holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and a Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education, with further training in counselling. With over eight years of experience working alongside allied health professionals in multidisciplinary clinics, schools, and early learning settings, she brings a warm, collaborative, and holistic approach to supporting each child’s development and participation in everyday life.

Thomas Paavola

Paediatric Dietician & Nutritionist

Tom is a highly experienced paediatric dietitian who supports children and families with a wide range of nutrition, feeding, and growth concerns from infancy through adolescence. He provides care for children with fussy eating, feeding difficulties, growth concerns, gut health issues, food intolerances, chronic disease, and metabolic health challenges. Tom also works extensively with children experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammatory bowel disease, and has a particular interest in paediatric gut health, fussy eating, weight concerns, and family based nutrition care.

Tom completed a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at The University of Newcastle and is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian. Prior to joining Banksia Paediatrics, he worked as the Lead Dietitian at Australia’s largest gastroenterology clinic, where he managed both children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. His additional training under Dr Jessica Turton strengthened his skills in metabolic health, diabetes management, and individualised nutrition interventions. He has also worked extensively in chronic disease management, migraine nutrition therapy, and sports nutrition for active children and teens.

As a clinician, Tom brings warmth, empathy, and a strong commitment to helping families feel confident and supported. His personal experience with chronic pain shapes his compassionate and holistic approach to care. Tom works closely with parents, paediatricians, allied health professionals, educators, and sporting communities to create practical, evidence based strategies that fit into everyday life. He is passionate about helping children build positive lifelong relationships with food and about empowering families to understand their child’s nutritional needs so they can grow and thrive together.

Thomas Paavola Paediatric dietician

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