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    Genetic testing and counselling directory

    Genetic testing and counselling directory of Australia

    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.

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