THE NEST JOURNAL
Issue 2 | October 2026
This Month at NEST
My child has a fever, what should I do?
Megan Harvey, NEST Nurse
and Emergency Clinical Nurse Educator, shares practical advice for parents.
Read More →
Meet Dr Tayla Meerkin - GP
Get to know Dr Meerkin, including her approach to women's health, mental health and children's health.
Meet Dr Meerkin →
Meet Romy Bursztyn -
Registered Nutritionist
Discover Romy's whole-person approach to nutrition, health and wellbeing.
Meet Romy →
Back to School & Around the NEST
A back to school recipe, a look inside our new Prahran clinic, our new Clinical Psychologist and what's coming soon.
Read More →
A Note from Clare
Hi everyone, and welcome to another NEST Newsletter!
We’re delighted to welcome back a familiar face, Nutritionist and Health Coach Romy Bursztyn, to the NEST team. We also warmly welcome Clinical Psychologist Dr Sophie White to our psychology team, and experienced Practice Nurse, Midwife and Lactation Consultant Lara Dee to our nursing team.
Lara and Megan are the wonderful nurses at NEST, and as mums themselves, they bring a wealth of experience and understanding to supporting families with their healthcare needs, including all your immunisation questions!
At NEST, we feel incredibly privileged to be trusted with the care of you and your families, and we’re so grateful to be part of your health and wellbeing journey.
In health & happiness,
Clare Chisholm
Operations Manager
MEGAN HARVEY
NEST Nurse | Emergency Clinical Nurse Educator
About Megan: Megan has more than a decade of experience teaching parents, nurses and clinicians. She is also the founder of Help at Hand, an online first aid and health education resource for parents.
HOT TIP: If your child has a fever but is happy and comfortable, you don't need to treat the fever.
My child has a fever, what should I do?
Megan Harvey, NEST Nurse & Emergency Clinical Nurse Educator, answers
A fever can be worrying.
A fever is a symptom of illness rather than an illness itself. A temperature over 38°C is considered a fever. While a fever can make your child uncomfortable, the aim of treatment is to keep them comfortable rather than simply bring the temperature down.
How should I manage my child's fever at home?
REST
Let your child rest while they're unwell.
FLUIDS
Encourage frequent hydration. For babies, this can include more frequent breastfeeds or formula feeds.
KEEP THEM COMFORTABLE
Dress your child comfortably and avoid adding extra layers. Cold baths are no longer recommended.
MEDICATION
Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen can help with discomfort. They don't make the illness get better faster.
How do I check their temperature?
A digital thermometer is recommended.
- Under the arm can be used.
- Oral thermometers should only be used in children over 4.
- Tympanic thermometers can be used over 6 months, although they can be difficult to use.
When should I seek help?
See your GP if:
- Your child is under 3 months and has a fever.
- Their fever has lasted more than 48 hours and they are not improving.
Febrile convulsion?
Call 000 if it is their first febrile convulsion or lasts 5 minutes or longer.
Meet Dr Tayla Meerkin - GP
What made you choose general practice?
Dr Meerkin’s interest in medicine started with a love of medical dramas and reality shows. She was drawn to general practice because of the variety and the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with patients.
One of the things she finds particularly rewarding is caring for women during pregnancy, then continuing to care for their babies and toddlers.
What do you particularly enjoy about your work?
Dr Meerkin particularly enjoys caring for women during pregnancy and then continuing to care for their babies and toddlers. She also has a particular interest in women’s health, mental health and children’s health.
What can patients expect when they see Dr Meerkin?
For Dr Meerkin, good medicine starts with listening. She wants to understand what’s going on, make sure patients feel heard, answer their questions and leave them with a clear plan and next steps.
Areas of interest
- Women's health
- Mental health
- Children's health
- Menstrual health
- Contraception
- Pregnancy planning
- Sexual health
- Terminations
Additional training
Dr Meerkin is undertaking further training with the NDC Institute and Possums, including evidence based approaches to feeding, sleep, crying, settling and new-parent mental health.
JUST FOR FUN
Day off: With two little boys, Tayla says, “What is a day off?”
When she does get some time to herself, she enjoys a good book and a white hot chocolate.
Dr Tayla Meerkin is available Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Friday at our Elsternwick clinic
“There’s no silly question or concern. If it’s on your mind, ask.”
Dr Tayla Meerkin, General Practitioner
“You don’t have to wait until everything feels unmanageable before asking for support.”
Romy Bursztyn
About Romy
Romy is a Registered Nutritionist, Accredited Health & Wellness Coach, Certified Perimenopause & Menopause Practitioner, Breathwork Instructor and Body Image Coach, with 30 years' experience in health and wellness.
Meet Romy Bursztyn
Registered Nutritionist | Health & Lifestyle Coach
A whole-person approach
For Romy, health is about much more than food or weight. She looks at the bigger picture, including nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, emotional wellbeing and the everyday demands of life.
Her approach is about realistic, sustainable changes rather than extremes or overwhelm.
Why do people come to Romy?
People often come feeling tired, overwhelmed or simply not quite themselves. They may be dealing with low energy, digestive concerns, disrupted sleep, stress, changes in weight or body composition, or symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Many are also confused by conflicting health advice and want a calmer, more personalised way forward.
What can you expect?
Romy starts by understanding where you are, what matters to you and what is realistic for your life. She works alongside your existing healthcare team where needed, helping turn health advice into practical habits.
Outside work
Romy is a mum of three and a devoted dog mum to Archie and Milo. She enjoys good food, being outdoors and spending time with her family.
What might bring you to Romy?
- Nutrition & healthy eating
- Lifestyle & healthy habits
- Perimenopause & menopause
- Stress, fatigue & burnout
- Sleep & energy
- Emotional eating & body image
- Non-diet weight support
- Healthy ageing & longevity
Romy Bursztyn is available Thursdays at NEST Elsternwick
BACK TO SCHOOL
Nut & Dairy Free Museli Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup tahini, pumpkin or sunflower seed spread
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas or other finely chopped dried fruit
- ¾ cup mixed seeds e.g. pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, chia
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Method
1. Add dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon.
2. Mix tahini or other seed butter and honey in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Once it starts to gently bubble, turn down the heat to low and stir for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Pour hot seed butter and honey mixture over dry ingredients and mix until ingredients are coated.
4. Press into a 20cm square, lined baked tin, using the wooden spoon and your fingers. Refrigerate for 2 hours, until firm. Cut into 10 muesli bars or 20 smaller squares.
Nicole Bando
NEST Dietitian & Lactation Specialist
Around the NEST
Useful things to know about your care at NEST
Welcoming Dr Sophie White
We’re pleased to welcome Dr Sophie White, Clinical Psychologist, to NEST.
Dr White takes a collaborative, compassionate approach to care. Her interests include perinatal mental health, eating disorders and body image, and supporting people through pregnancy and parenthood.
Appointments: Fridays, via telehealth only.
Psychology and social work enquiries: Phone reception or complete the Mental Health Intake Form on our website.
NEST PRAHRAN - A second NEST location
NEST has opened a second clinic at 520 High Street, Prahran.
Our Prahran clinic is currently home to our Psychology and Psychiatry services, with more services being introduced over time..
Coming to NEST Prahran
SkinDepth Cosmetics is coming to NEST Prahran - January 2027
SkinDepth is a doctor-led aesthetic dermatology clinic focused on personalised skin and cosmetic care. Their services include skin rejuvenation, laser and other aesthetic treatments.
More information and bookings coming soon.
We'd love to hear from you
Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover in a future newsletter? Let us know via social.
