The Clinical Genetics Service provides reproductive and pediatric genetics services to families in the North-western region of Victoria. The service has sites at the Women’s in Parkville and Sunshine Hospital in St Albans.
There has been a sustained increase in the demand for specialist genetic counselling services due to rapid advances in testing technology, increasing access and awareness of genetic testing and screening options for reproductive decision making.
The clinical genetics service at the Women’s is a multidisciplinary team of clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors. The genetic counselling we offer provides education and support to couples and individuals who have or are at risk of genetic conditions. This includes individuals with:
- a diagnosis or family history of a genetic condition
- a pregnancy with an abnormality,
- an increased risk of having a child with a genetic condition as ascertained by a genetic screening test
- concerns about a genetic condition in a child.
Genetic counselling facilitates informed decision making by helping individuals understand;
- The implications of a genetic condition for themselves and their families
- The range and suitability of tests available to them, and the meaning of their test results.
Genetic counsellors are also available to provide advice and education to health professionals about genetic testing and screening for their patients.
Specialities
- reproductive genetics
- paediatric genetics
- population genetic screening
- genetic counselling clinical genetics
- genetic testing
Clinical inclusion
Individuals who reside within the Women’s and Sunshine catchment areas in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Clinical exclusion
Individuals who reside outside the catchment will be referred to their local clinical genetics service or to a specialist adult or paediatric service.
Frequency
Parkville: Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
Genetic counselling – daily appointments available
Genetics Clinics – Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm
Sunshine: Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
Genetic counselling – daily appointments available
Genetics Clinics – Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm
Triage
Notes and pre-referral information e.g. Triage staff may assign your referral to a clinic with a shorter waiting time and most appropriate speciality focus. More comprehensive referrals are usually seen more quickly.
Please provide as much detail as possible on the presenting complaint, pre referral management, outcomes, investigations and results:
- menstrual and pregnancy history, medical and surgical history
- family history
- all investigations that have performed for the couple
Referral
Please complete and fax the Fast Fax Referral form found on the Reproductive Services referrals page.
Urgent referral
Urgent referral: Please notify the Clinical Genetics Service directly by telephone of any urgent referrals that have been faxed to the department.
Appointments
Patients will be contacted directly by the Clinical Genetics Service and an appointment arranged. The GP will be notified of the appointment.