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Genetic testing and counselling directory

Posted By Nipun Liyanapathirana On

NSW

Clinical Genetics NSW provides a state-wide public genetic services.

  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Telehealth and face to face appointments are available
  • All Genetic Service clinics listed in NSW provide genetic eye disease services

Save Sight Institute is located within the Sydney Eye Hospital and facilitates research, education and patient care to prevent vision loss from eye diseases and conditions.

  • Referral is required from your optometrist, GP or ophthalmologist.
  • Referrals from your GP remain valid for 12 months, all other referral types are valid for three months.

Website: www.sydney.edu.au/save-sight-institute/about-us.html

More information

Genomic Testing Factsheet NSW Health

Locations

ACT

  • ACT Genetic Service offers consultations for diagnostic genetic testing and genetic counselling for people residing in the ACT. Genetic services are free with a Medicare Card or Asylum Seeker Card
  • Phone:  02 5124 7630
  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Genetic testing for unaffected family members is available through a referral from an ophthalmologist or GP.
  • Consultations at all locations are for adults and children and are provided by a clinical geneticist and/or genetic counsellor

For more information, click here

Victoria

  • Victorian Clinical Genetic Services provides state-wide public genetic services.
  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Adults are seen through Royal Eye and Ear Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic alongside the Royal Melbourne Hospital genetic clinic.
  • Children are seen at the Royal Children’s Hospital. There is a monthly clinic with a current wait time of 1-2 months for an initial appointment.
  • Telehealth and face to face appointments available.
  • Phone: 1300118247

More information

Website: www.melbournegenomics.org.au

Website: www.vcgs.org.au

  • Locations

    Victorian Clinical Genetics Services
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    Parkville
    T: 1300118247

    Royal Eye and Ear Hospital
    East Melbourne
    T: (03) 9929 8666
    F: (03) 9663 7203
    Email: [email protected]

    Royal Melbourne Hospital Genetic Clinic Parkville
    T: 1300118247 (contact via vgcs)
    Royal Children’s Hospital
    Parkville
    T: 1300118247 (contact via vgcs)

  • Monthly Regional Clinics

    Albury/Wodonga

    Ballarat

    Bendigo

    Geelong

    Mildura

    Moe

    Sale

    Shepparton

    Warragul

    Warrnambool

    *Outreach/regional clinics may not have eye genetic counsellors, so you may be triaged to metro clinics.

Tasmania

  • Tasmanian Clinical Genetic Services (TCGS) provides state-wide genetic services.
  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Telehealth and face to face appointments are available
  • Phone: 03 6166 8296

More information

On receipt of the referral letter, a genetic counsellor will contact the patient to discuss the issue of concern, collect relevant family history information, arrange an appointment at a clinic in Hobart, Launceston or Latrobe, if needed.

After the appointment the patient and/or Doctor will receive a letter summarising the information provided, options for next steps, the outcome of any test results

Website: Tasmanian Clinical Genetic Services website

  • Locations

    Royal Hobart Hospital
    Hobart
    T: (03) 6166 8296
    F: (03) 6173 0328
    Email: [email protected]

    Launceston General Hospital
    Launceston
    T: (03) 67776777

    Mersey Community Hospital
    North West Regional Hospital
    Latrobe
    T: (03) 64785500

South Australia

The Adult Genetics Unit (AGU) state-wide clinical genetic service focused on genetic diagnosis, testing, and counselling for adults and families with suspected rare inherited disorders.

  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Virtual clinics to rural and remote Australia can be provided using Telemedicine

Children are seen at Children and Reproductive Genetics Unit and Metabolic Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Virtual clinics to rural and remote Australia can be provided using Telemedicine.

More Information

Website: Ophthalmic Genetics – Adult and Paediatric CPC

  • Locations

    Flinders Medical Centre (FMC)
    Genetic Eye Disease Clinic
    Bedford Park
    Prof Christopher Barnett or Dr Deepa Taranath
    T: (08) 82044273

    Royal Adelaide Hospital – Adult Genetics Unit
    Adelaide
    T: (08) 7074 2697
    F: (08) 8429 6112
    Email: [email protected]

    Women’s & Children’s Hospital – Paediatric and Reproductive Genetics Unit
    North Adelaide
    T: (08) 8161 7375
    F: (08) 8161 6088
    Email: [email protected]

Queensland

  • Genetic Health Queensland is (GHQ) is a state-wide genetics service in the public health system, based in Brisbane with regional outreach clinics.
  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Telehealth and face to face appointments available
  • Genetic counsellors are based out of the locations below.

More information

Queensland Genomic and Genetic Tool Kit.pdf

Indigenous genomics health literacy

Website: Queensland genetic health information for patients

  • Locations

    Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
    Herston
    T: (07) 3646 1686

    Bundaberg Hospital
    Bundaberg
    T: (07) 4150 2794

    Gold Coast University Hospital
    Southport
    T: (07) 5687 1515

    Queensland Children’s Hospital
    South Brisbane
    T: (07) 3068 4152

    Nambour General Hospital
    Nambour
    T: (07) 5202 3425

    Townsville University Hospital
    Douglas
    T: (07) 4796 1464

    Toowoomba Hospital
    Toowoomba City
    T: (07) 4616 6995

    Less Frequent outreach clinics:
    Rockhampton
    Mackay
    Cairns

Northern Territory

  • VCGS runs a public genetic service in the Northern Territory.
  • Genetic Clinics Run four times per year
  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP
  • Telehealth and face to face appointments are available

For more information, click here

Western Australia

There are two options in WA for access to genetic testing and counselling

1. Genetic Services WA (GSWA) is a state-wide public genetic service in Western Australia

  • You will need to have seen an ophthalmologist for initial diagnosis and will require a referral from either an ophthalmologist or GP. The referral goes to head office in Perth and will be allocated to a genetic counsellor. You will be contacted by the counsellor and added to the waitlist for an appointment.
  • Face-to-face and telehealth appointments are available

Website: ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Genetic-Services-of-WA

2. Lions Eye Institute provides a service, mainly for research purposes. If a clinical genetic diagnosis is required, patients may be referred to Genetic Services Western Australia to confirm or testing may be arranged through a private laboratory.

  • Referral from ophthalmologist, optometrist or GP.
  • Some consultation fees may apply.

Contact: Associate Professor Fred Chen

Website: www.lei.org.au/research/scientists/associate-professor-fred-chen/

  • Locations

    King Edward Memorial Hospital
    Subiaco
    T: (08) 6458 1525

    Outreach Clinics are also held in the following locations:
    • Albany
    • Bunbury
    • Geraldton
    • Joondalup
    • Kalgoorlie
    • Port Headland
    • Rockingham.

    Lions Eye Institute (public & private)
    Retinal clinic
    Assoc Prof Fred Chen
    Nedlands
    T: (08) 9381 0817
    Web: https://www.lei.org.au/

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The information contained in the Genetic Testing Directory is provided for information purposes only. MDFA does not promote or endorse specific services or medical practitioners. Every effort has been made to ensure entries are current, but information is subject to change without notice.