Genetic Counselling

Genetic counsellors are healthcare professionals specialising in medical genetics and counselling.

A genetic counsellor can help you to:

Understand your genetic health
Discuss and arrange genetic testing
Support you in making informed decisions

When should you consider genetic counselling?

01

Starting a family or planning a pregnancy

02

You have a family history of a known genetic condition or a condition that may be hereditary (e.g. breast cancer)

03

You are concerned about your health and would like to know more about the genetic basis of disease and ways to manage your risks

04

You need help with genetic testing that has been recommended by your doctor or interpreting genetic test results

What to expect in a genetic counselling consultation

We will ask you about your personal and family medical history to understand your genetic concerns and assess your risk for a genetic condition
We will provide an explanation of genetics and the role that certain genes play in disease risk
When appropriate, we will discuss genetic testing options including;
- Benefits and limitations of genetic testing
- Possible results
- Implications of genetic test results on your care and management
- Implications of genetic test results for your family members
We will support you in making informed decisions
We may refer you to other specialists for ongoing support or health management

Pre- and post-test genetic counselling aims to support you both before genetic testing and with your results to ensure that you are supported every step of the way.

You will be provided with a detailed summary letter following your genetic counselling appointment that you may share with your GP or other healthcare providers.