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Paediatric genetics

Emergency referrals

If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • No referrals to emergency relating to clinical genetics

Does your patient wish to be referred?

Minimum referral criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days is desirable

  • The child is affected by a genetic condition AND a parent is pregnant and an opinion/genetic testing will guide investigations, management, and outcome in pregnancy

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days is desirable

  • The patient has a personal history of a genetic diagnosis AND is currently on or about to go onto a palliative care pathway
  • The patient is currently affected by a neurodegenerative genetic condition

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days is desirable

  • The patient has a personal and/or any family history (blood relatives) of a paediatric genetic diagnosis, with/without a specific gene mutation/chromosomal anomaly identified on a genetic test

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.

If you still need to refer your patient:

  • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Other important information for referring practitioners

Not an exhaustive list

  • The offer of an appointment by GHQ does NOT guarantee that the patient will be offered a publicly funded genetic test.
  • If there are any queries regarding the appropriateness of a referral please contact GHQ.
  • If the patient is an UNTESTED blood relative of a person with an identified gene mutation/chromosomal anomaly, please refer to the following CPC:
  • Patients will be asked to provide detailed family information either during a telephone consultation or via a family history questionnaire. One or more ‘Consent to Release information’ forms may be provided to forward to family members to obtain their consent to confirm details of the reported family history.
  • A referral for both parents (if available) is very useful, especially for a child with the following conditions:
    • Chromosomal anomaly
    • Cystic fibrosis (affected or carrier)
    • Spinal muscular atrophy
    • Other autosomal recessive conditions
  • A referral for the intervening parent (if available) is very useful, particularly for a child who has a family history (blood relatives) of a genetic condition.
  • Examples of conditions where individuals might be referred include a confirmed or suspected diagnosis/family history of:
    • chromosomal disorders
    • multiple congenital anomalies (please ensure a chromosome microarray has been performed)
    • dysmorphic features (please ensure a chromosome microarray has been performed)
    • developmental delay/intellectual disability (please ensure a chromosome microarray has been performed)
    • autism (if accompanied by other features) (please ensure a chromosome microarray has been performed)
    • known or suspected genetic syndrome
    • congenital/early onset sensorineural hearing loss (please see Healthy Hearing Program: Protocols and Guidelines)
    • multisystem issues
    • fragile X syndrome

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

  • As much detail as possible about the patient’s personal history of disease including the following:
    • clear indication of clinical need for urgency (see above)
    • clinical diagnosis and features
    • age at diagnosis
    • treatment (completed and planned)
    • relevant pathology (if results are available on Auslab please indicate this on referral)
    • relevant organ specific diagnostic investigations and/or imaging results (if results are available within ieMR please indicate this on referral)
    • details and results of genetic testing if performed (especially chromosome microarray)
  • Presence or absence of relevant family (blood relatives) history

Additional useful information (useful for processing the referral)

  • Known details of relevant family history (first and second-degree blood relatives) including:
    • clinical diagnosis/features and age at diagnosis
    • relation to patient including whether maternal or paternal
  • If the family is known to GHQ, the GHQ reference number (GF)
  • If the family are known to another genetic service, the name of the service and family reference number (if available)

Out of catchment!

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

  • Impact on employment
  • Impact on education
  • Impact on home
  • Impact on activities of daily living
  • Impact on ability to care for others
  • Impact on personal frailty or safety
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

  • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
  • Physical findings
  • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
  • Current medications and dosages
  • Drug allergies
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

  • Full name (including aliases)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential and postal address
  • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
  • Medicare number (where eligible)
  • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
  • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Full name
  • Full address
  • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
  • Provider number
  • Date of referral
  • Signature

  • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
  • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
  • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)
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