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Available Public Genetic Services
The Department of Health funds high quality, integrated public genetic services in Victoria providing:
- Clinical care (mostly in conjunction with other health services)
- Genetic counselling
- Genetic screening
- Diagnostic testing
- Predictive testing
- Education
- Professional training.
Public genetic services are delivered within broader health service policy outlined in theVictorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-2022.
Services are available for children, adults and their families, and may be provided in consultation with other medical specialists in areas such as oncology, neurology and cardiology. Access is generally by referral from a general practitioner, except for newborn screening, which is available to all babies at birth. Patients can also self refer to Family Cancer Centres.
Clinical genetic services are provided on a hub and spoke basis. There are five metropolitan hubs (Genetic Health Services Victoria, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Austin Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), which provide outreach clinics to other metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals. Some clinics are general, covering all genetic conditions, while others are staffed to address specific conditions such as familial cancer or neurogenetics.
Public laboratory genetic services are provided by Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St Vincent's Hospital.
Further information about newborn screening is available though the Better Health Channel.
Support for Consumers and Carers
The Genetic Support Network of Victoria (GSNV) is a community resource for people affected by genetic conditions and their families, condition-focused support groups, health professionals, government and the general community. It offers a range of services including information on genetic conditions, contact details for support groups and can establish links between families with the same condition, existing support groups, or help establish new groups. It also represents the interests and views of these people and their families to the community, State and Federal Governments.
