Clinical Genetics Division
Introduction
The clinical genetics division of the National Centre for Medical Genetics provides a clinical service for individuals and their families who are affected by, or at risk of a disorder with a significant genetic component.
Families are frequently referred to the department following:
- The detection or birth of a child with developmental and or physical problems.
- A still-born infant.
- Recurrent miscarriages.
- The diagnosis of a hereditary disease in the family, for example, cystic fibrosis, Huntington disease or familial cancer.
Information about genetic testing for breast cancer can be can be downloaded in PDF format from the ‘downloads’ area to the right of the page.
Staff
The service is staffed by four consultants, Professor Andrew Green and Dr Sally Ann Lynch, Dr Marie Greally and Dr Willie Reardon.
There is a rotating paediatric medical registrar on the staff. There are five genetic counsellors in the Centre, and one genetic counsellor based in The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1. There are five medical secretaries in the department. The Centre sees over 2,000 patients annually.
The website’s on-line email form can be used to contact the Clinical Genetics Department.
Clinic facilities
Although the Centre is based in a children’s hospital, adults are also seen at the Centre, which has clinics separate from those at Our Lady’s Hospital out-patients’ department.
Eleven clinics are held each week in the The National Centre for Medical Genetics, and three weekly in The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1.
There are weekly specialist genetic counselling clinics, and specialist clinics for hereditary cancers, and Huntington disease. In addition, there are regional clinics as shown below:
| Location | Clinics per year | Consultant | Appointments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | 8 | Professor Green | 01-409 6739 |
| Galway | 22 | Dr Greally | 01-428-2800 |
| Letterkenny | 12 | Dr Greally | 01-428-2800 |
| Limerick | 10 | Dr Reardon | 01-409 6069 |
| Mayo | 10 | Dr Greally | 01-428-2800 |
| Sligo | 10 | Dr Greally | 01-428-2800 |
Currently, the waiting time for routine clinic appointments is approximately 9 months, with some regional variations.
Clinic referrals are by a referral letter from a medical professional requesting an appointment and outlining the reasons for the request. Self-referrals by patients themselves are not accepted. The referred individual is put on a waiting list according to the urgency of the request.
The office of the National Centre for Medical Genetics manages all of the clinics, so referrals should be sent to the Centre directly. The service is publicly funded.
Patient information sheet
A patient information sheet which explains what happens at a genetics clinic appointment is also available.