Dietitian at Drovers Medical Centre, Wanneroo
Dietitian at Drovers Medical Centre, Wanneroo
Drovers Medical Centre is home to Mrs Virginia Sergas, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with more than ten years of clinical experience helping people in Perth’s northern suburbs eat better and feel better. Virginia takes a science-based, food-first approach: real meals, realistic goals, and advice grounded in current evidence. APD is the credentialed dietetic title in Australia, regulated by Dietitians Australia, and required for Medicare and most private health fund rebates.
Whether you have been referred by your GP for a chronic condition or you simply want a clearer plan for your eating, Virginia works alongside you to build something sustainable. Appointments are unhurried, judgement-free, and tailored to the way you actually live, cook, and shop.
Conditions Our Dietitian Treats
Virginia consults across the full breadth of medical nutrition therapy. Common reasons people are referred to her include:
- Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes (including blood glucose stabilisation and carbohydrate management)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the low-FODMAP elimination and reintroduction protocol
- Weight management, including LCHF and ketogenic approaches where clinically appropriate
- Bariatric surgery support, both pre-operative preparation and long-term post-operative nutrition
- Iron deficiency and other common micronutrient deficiencies
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and insulin-resistance-related concerns
- Paediatric feeding difficulties, fussy eating, and faltering growth
- Heart disease, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk reduction
- Hypertension and the DASH dietary pattern
- Food allergies, coeliac disease, and food intolerances
- Healthy ageing, sarcopenia prevention, and protein adequacy in older adults
- General healthy eating, family nutrition, and energy/fatigue concerns
If you are not sure whether your situation fits, please call the practice on (08) 9306 2255 and our reception team can check with Virginia or your GP.
Medicare-Rebated Dietitian Visits
Many of our patients see Virginia under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, previously known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan. If you live with a chronic medical condition that has been present (or is likely to be present) for at least six months, your GP at Drovers can prepare a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement (Medicare items 721 and 723). This referral entitles you to a Medicare rebate of approximately $59.55 per dietitian consultation.
Medicare allows up to five allied health sessions per calendar year in total, shared across providers such as dietitians, physiotherapists, podiatrists and exercise physiologists. Eligibility is determined by your GP based on your medical history, not by self-referral.
We also support:
- DVA Gold and White Card holders (where the condition is accepted), with no out-of-pocket cost for clinically appropriate dietitian visits
- NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed (we do not currently invoice NDIA-managed plans directly)
- Private health fund members with extras cover that includes dietetics — most major funds rebate a portion of the consultation fee
If you would like to know whether you qualify for a CDM plan, book a standard GP appointment first and your doctor will assess this with you.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your initial consultation with Virginia runs for approximately 60 minutes. This gives you both enough time to talk properly, rather than rushing through a checklist. Virginia will take a full dietary history, ask about your medical background, medications, sleep, activity, and what your typical week looks like at the table.
If you have a recent food diary, pathology results, or a hospital discharge summary, please bring them. You will leave with a written, individualised plan including practical next steps you can start that week. Follow-up reviews are typically 30 to 45 minutes and focus on progress, troubleshooting, and adjusting the plan as your goals shift.
Serving Wanneroo and the Northern Suburbs
Drovers Medical Centre is located at 12/1397 Wanneroo Road, Wanneroo WA 6065, with off-street parking and easy access from Wanneroo Road. Virginia sees patients from across Perth’s growing northern corridor, including Banksia Grove, Two Rocks, Yanchep, Pearsall, Tapping, Joondalup, Mariginiup, and Sinagra.
Patients regularly tell us they appreciate not having to drive into central Perth for dietetic care. Having an Accredited Practising Dietitian working alongside the GPs and nurses at Drovers also means your management plan stays joined-up — your dietitian, doctor, and care team are quite literally in the same building.
Book a Dietitian Appointment
To book with Virginia, call reception on (08) 9306 2255 or use online booking via our book now page. We are open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:30pm.
If you do not yet have a CDM referral, we recommend booking a GP appointment first so your eligibility for the Medicare rebate can be assessed. Reception is happy to arrange both visits in sequence where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral to see the dietitian?
No, you can book directly with Virginia as a private patient. However, you do need a GP referral under a Chronic Disease Management plan (items 721/723) if you want to claim the Medicare rebate.
Will I get a Medicare rebate?
Only if you have an active CDM plan from your GP. The rebate is approximately $59.55 per consultation, and Medicare permits a maximum of five allied health sessions per calendar year across all providers.
How is a dietitian different from a nutritionist?
In Australia, “Accredited Practising Dietitian” (APD) is a regulated, credentialed title that requires university-level qualifications, supervised clinical practice, and ongoing professional development. “Nutritionist” is not a protected term and is not eligible for Medicare or most private health rebates. Virginia is an APD.
What happens at the first appointment?
Plan for 60 minutes. Virginia will review your dietary, medical, and lifestyle history, discuss your goals, and write you an individualised plan you can start straight away. Bring any recent blood tests or a few days of food diary if you have them.
Can I claim with private health insurance?
Yes, most major Australian health funds rebate dietetics under their extras cover. The amount depends on your fund, level of cover, and remaining annual limit — please check directly with your insurer. You cannot claim both Medicare and private health for the same consultation.
