Overview
Our genetics clinics operate every weekday.
Referrals are received by the genetic counsellor, who will make contact with you within 24–48 hours to arrange an appointment time for you to visit.
You can be referred to the Genetics Department for the following reasons:
- a family history of a genetic or chromosome problem
- an abnormality detected on your ultrasound
- an increased chance of having a baby with a syndrome based on a screening test
- past history.
Getting here
Find us at:
163 Studley Road
Heidelberg Victoria 3084
For more information on getting here, visit Mercy Hospital for Women .
Location details
Perinatal Medicine/Medical Imaging, Genetics Department, Level 3
On-site signage and indicators
Look for the Genetics Department signs on-site.
How can people get access?
From Level 1, take the lifts to Level 3 and turn left in Perinatal Medicine/Medical Imaging
Opening hours
Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm
Your appointment
What to bring
Please bring:
- your Medicare Card
- a list of questions you may have
- a support person with you.
What to expect on the day
Allow an hour for the appointment.
More information
Team Composition
Throughout your experience, you may be supported by:
- administrative staff
- genetic counsellor/fetal intake worker
- medical geneticist.
What questions should you ask
Questions you may like to ask include:
- What are my options?
- When do I need to make a decision by?
- Is there any other information I should look at?
Discharge information
Information will be discussed with you on the day and an appropriate plan will generally be put in place before you leave the department.
Opportunities to be involved in research
There are opportunities to be involved in research.
Who to call if you have concerns afterwards
If you have any questions or concerns please call the Genetics Department.
For health professionals
In this ‘genomic era’ of medicine, we have never been at greater risk of losing knowledge in the sea of information. We now have access to unprecedented amounts of information regarding our genetic make- up and that of our offspring.
The Genetics Department comprises a highly skilled team of medical geneticists and genetic counsellors. Their role is to help families through the minefield of genetic screening and diagnostic testing, and to be the first ‘port of call’ when families are confronted with a diagnosis of a structural or genetic abnormality in their unborn baby.
Procedural information
Please provide:
- a written referral outlining the reason for genetic counselling
- ultrasound reports
- blood results (Hep B, Hep C, HIV, blood group)
- screening test results
- genetic test results of the proband (if applicable).
How to prepare the patient
Give the patient the Genetic Department contact details and inform them they will receive a call within 24–48 hours.
Phone: 03 8458 4346
What/when you should refer to us
Patients should be referred immediately to this service if they have:
- a family history of a genetic condition and are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- an abnormal ultrasound/screening or test result.
Our clinic is receiving eReferrals via HealthLink SmartForms. Please see our Refer a patient page for more information.
Additional contact details
Referral enquiries:
Phone: 03 8458 4346
Fax: 03 8458 4254.
More information
Resources for you
The Victorian Clinical Genetics Services provides comprehensive information about genetic tests and services.
vcgs.org.au
Down Syndrome Victoria provides comprehensive information about Down Syndrome.
www.downsyndromevictoria.org.au
The Royal Children’s Hospital website provides comprehensive information about cardiac defects, cleft lip/palate and talipes.
www.rch.org.au
Make a referral
Access Genetics Service referral forms and guidelines to make a referral for this service.
Contacts
For Health Professionals
HealthPathways Melbourne
- Email address: [email protected]
- Website: HealthPathways Melbourne
-
About:
HealthPathways Melbourne provides clinicians with a single website to access clinical and referral pathways, and resources. Pathways are created by local GPs, working in partnership with specialists, nurses, allied health and other health professionals.
Mercy Health recommends clinicians to access HealthPathways Melbourne for guidance in assessing, managing and referring for patient conditions (login required).
Referrals to outpatient clinics at Mercy Health will be triaged against clinical information and investigations based on these guidelines.
Referrals that do not meet the required clinical information and investigations will not be accepted.
HealthPathways Melbourne is available for free to health professionals working in the North Western Melbourne and Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network catchments.
Email HealthPathways to request access or if you need to confirm your username and password.
Healthlink SmartForm eReferrals
- Website: au.healthlink.net/support
-
About:
HealthLink is a secure digital platform for sending referrals directly from your GP practice software (Best Practice, Genie, Medical Director and MedTech Evolution).
Practices without conformant software can register for a free HealthLink Portal licence by completing the online registration form and noting in the comments/message field that you would like to use the SmartForms, then selecting the two checkboxes – (1) Receive Electronic Correspondence (free of charge) and (3) Send Electronic Smart Forms (My Aged Care, Transport for NSW, Monash Health etc).
Once HealthLink receives your completed registration application, this will be processed and the portal details will be forwarded to you.
eReferral Support Contact Information
- For GPs in the Eastern Melbourne Primary Healthcare Network region wanting to enable eReferrals (HealthLink Smartforms), please contact [email protected]or if urgent (03) 9046 0300.
- For GPs in the North Western Melbourne Primary Healthcare Network region wanting to enable eReferrals (HealthLink Smartforms), please contact HealthLink via phone: 1800 125 036 or email [email protected]
- For issues with HealthLink SmartForms, or to have this solution enabled within your clinical software system, please contact HealthLink on 1800 125 036 or [email protected].
Statewide Referral Criteria for Specialist Clinics - Victoria
- Website: Statewide Referral Criteria
-
About:
The Department of Health and Human Services has developed statewide referral criteria to assist GPs and clinicians referring patients to specialist clinics. These referral criteria have been developed to improve access to specialist clinics in public hospitals by improving the quality and appropriateness of referrals.
Additional resources
Mercy Hospital for Women
Based in Heidelberg, Victoria, Mercy Hospital for Women is a major public hospital and specialist referral centre with the medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health expertise to provide complex obstetric, neonatal and gynaecological care.
Providing feedback
We value feedback from the people we care for, including from your families, friends, carers, and our broader community. Find out how to register a concern, complaint or compliment, or make a suggestion for improvement at Mercy Health.