Genetic Health Queensland (GHQ)
Service
All of Queensland Health’s clinical genetics services are provided by Genetic Health Queensland (GHQ). GHQ, previously known as Queensland Clinical Genetics Service, is a Queensland Health state-wide service administered through the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. GHQ’s laboratory-based services are provided by Pathology Queensland at the Herston Campus. GHQ facilitates interstate and international testing where appropriate.
GHQ’s clinical team includes
- consultant clinical geneticists
- registrars and
- genetic counsellors.
GHQ provides
- diagnostic
- counselling
- support and
- educational services
to individuals and families who have or are at risk of having a genetic or inherited condition.
It also provides
- health promotion in relation to hereditary disorders,
- professional and community education and
- outreach services delivered by local genetic counsellors and visiting consultant clinical geneticists
top
of page
Referral
Medical practitioners may refer people to GHQ. Other health professionals may refer to the service for certain conditions and should contact the service.
People who might be referred to GHQ include those who have:
- a personal or family history of known or suspected genetic conditions such as: muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, haemophilia, cystic fibrosis, albinism, growth disorders, fragile X syndrome, learning difficulties, metabolic disorders
- a personal or family history of birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, club foot, congenital heart disease and spina bifida
- an increased risk of genetic conditions because of
- their ethnic background (eg Greek and Indian people have an increased risk for beta thalassaemia, Jewish people for Tay-Sachs disease, and Europeans for cystic fibrosis)
- consanguinity (husband and wife, or partners, are related eg first cousins)
- the woman is 35 years or over and pregnant or considering pregnancy
- an increased risk result from screening tests during pregnancy
- exposure to drugs, alcohol, chemicals, infection or radiation during pregnancy
- a history of infertility, multiple miscarriages, stillbirths or early infant deaths where personal or family history or tests have indicated a possible underlying genetic cause
- a personal or family history of intellectual disability, slow development and/or seizures
- a personal or family history of hearing or visual impairment
- a strong personal or family history of cancer.
top
of page
State-wide Clinic locations
|
|
Contact address
|
Contact information
|
|
Brisbane Metropolitan Area*
|
Geneticist/Genetic Counsellor
Genetic Health Queensland,
Level 4, Building C28, Back Road,
RBWH, Herston, QLD 4029
|
Phone: (07) 3636 1686
Fax: (07) 3636 1987
Email: ghq@health.qld.gov.au
|
|
Royal Women’s Hospital
|
Genetic Counsellor
Antenatal Clinic, Cnr Butterfield St and Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, Queensland Herston, Qld 4029
|
Phone: (07) 3636 2269
Fax:(07) 3636 5379
|
|
Mater Mothers’ Hospital
|
Genetic Counsellor
Fetal Medicine Unit, South Brisbane, Qld 4029
|
Phone: (07) 3163 1593
Fax: (07) 3163 1692
|
|
Gold Coast Hospital
|
Genetic Counsellor
108 Nerang Street, Southport Qld 4215
|
Phone: (07) 5519 8741
Fax: (07) 5519 7883
|
|
Bundaberg/ Rockhampton/ Hervey Bay/Maryborough
|
Genetic Counsellor
Bundaberg Hospital Floor 1, Centre Block, Bourbong St, PO Box 34
Bundaberg QLD 4670
|
Phone:(07) 4150 2794
Fax: (07) 4150 2799
|
|
Nambour/Gympie
|
Genetic Counsellor
Nambour Hospital, Cnr Hospital & Mapleton Road, Nambour Qld 4560
|
Phone: (07) 5441 7167
Fax: (07) 5470 5456
|
|
Cairns
|
Genetic Counsellor
Cairns Base Hospital, PO Box 902, Cairns Qld 4870
|
Phone: (07) 4050 6247
Fax: (07) 4050 6456
|
|
Toowoomba
|
Genetic Counsellor
Toowoomba Base Hospital, Private Mail Bag 2, Toowoomba Qld 4350
|
Phone: (07) 4616 6995
Fax: (07) 4616 5596
|
|
Townsville/ Mount Isa/ Mackay/
|
Geneticist/Genetic Counsellor
Townsville General Hospital,
PO Box 670, Townsville Qld 4810
|
Phone: (07) 4796 1463
Fax: (07) 4796 1461
|
*Other Brisbane Metropolitan areas visited by GHQ include:
top
of page
Other languages