Genetics in Hunter New England

The general genetics service provides clinical genetics services within Hunter New England and to the northern parts of New South Wales. The outpatient service is based at Waratah.

Our general genetics services include:

Outpatient service

• Inpatient consultation

Multidisciplinary clinics

• Maternal fetal medicine.
  • Clinics are held with the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, John Hunter Hospital every Thursday afternoon to discuss ultrasounds, family history and genetic counselling.
• Adult metabolic clinic.
  • The metabolic team from Westmead, run adult clinics at Hunter Genetics every 3 months. The clinic is for patients with metabolic disorders, such as PKU, homocystinuria and galactosaemia.

Outreach clinics are also conducted at:

• Taree
• Tamworth
• Port Macquarie
• Coffs Harbour
• Lismore and Kingscliff. 

The state-wide Genetics of Learning Disability (GOLD) service is a clinical genetics and research service for families with inherited forms of intellectual disability, including Fragile X Syndrome. The research component includes national and international collaboration, we focus on identifying the genes associated with inherited forms of intellectual disability. 

We run clinics frequently in Newcastle and Sydney, as well as local towns and communities throughout NSW.

General genetics

• Dr Anna Hackett - clinical lead
• Dr Himanshu Goel
• Dr Anne Baxter
• Dr Gungan Garg.

Genetics of Learning Disability (GOLD)

• Dr Tracy Dudding-Byth - Director
• Dr Mike Field.

Our Genetic counsellors provide assessments, counselling and advice to individuals and families including:

• the diagnosis of a rare disorder in a child
• the chance that you will develop a condition affecting other family members
• passing a condition on to your child
• the cause of a serious disorder in a family member
• becoming a parent when you are in your mid 30’s or older
• family history of cancers.

General service

• Bronwyn Burgess
• Angela Ingrey
• Sheridan O'Donnell
• Shanelle Furtado.

Genetics of Learning Disability (GOLD)

• Carolyn Rogers
• Jackie Boyle
• Louise Christie
• Hannah Thomson.

Contact our Genetic Counselling Service

An on-call geneticist is available 7 days per week for inpatient ward consultations.

A genetic counsellor, in collaboration with the respiratory team, provides genetic information and support to families with a new diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

On-call enquiries

On-call enquiries during business hours contact the Hunter Genetics Unit on (02) 4985 3100.

On-call enquiries out of hours contact the John Hunter Hospital switchboard on (02) 49213000 and ask to speak to the geneticist on-call.