Information about the clinical genetics service for professionals
Referrals for all genetics clinics should be made to:
Consultant Geneticist
North West Thames Regional Genetics Service
Level 8V, Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospitals
Watford Road
Harrow HA1 3UJ
Tel: 020 8869 2795
Fax: 020 8869 3106
Email:lnwh-tr.geneticreferrals@nhs.net
Urgent referrals should be emailed to lnwh-tr.geneticreferrals@nhs.net and clearly marked as urgent. If the patient is pregnant, please refer as early as possible in the pregnancy. The referral could be sent on the Urgent Prenatal Referral Form available here. We encourage pre-conception referrals where possible.
Referrals are reviewed by the relevant Consultant (by geographical area) and patients are offered an appointment usually by the Partial Booking System whereby they receive a letter and are asked to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time, improving attendance rates.
If your patient lives outside our catchment area, you can find their local genetics service here. Catchment areas are based on the postcode of the GP, not the patient.
If you have a cancer referral, please use our cancer referral guidelines. If you are GP referring a patient with a family history of cancer, please consider providing your patient with our family history questionnaire to complete prior to sending the referral. Referrals with completed questionnaires can be processed more quickly.
Please click on the links below for information about:
What information should be included in a referral to the genetics clinic?
As a minimum, a referral should include the patient’s full name, address, date of birth and NHS number, their GP details and the reason for referral to the genetics clinic.
If the patient is pregnant, please consider using the Urgent Prenatal Referral Form and include copies of relevant scan reports.
Please include as much information as possible about the specific condition or suspected condition in the family. If another family member has a confirmed genetic diagnosis, please include the following where possible:
- specific diagnosis
- relevant test reports
- exact biological relationship between the affected individual and the person being referred eg half-sister (same mother).
Internet resources for individuals and families
Genetic Alliance UK Genetic Alliance UK is the national charity of over 130 patient organisations, supporting all those affected by genetic conditions. The website contains an introduction to genetics and genetic conditions and has many patient information leaflets.
Unique Rare Chomosome Disorder Support Group Unique is a source of information and support to families and individuals affected by any rare chromosome disorder.
Contact a Family Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability.
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) is a national charity which provides non-directive support and information to parents throughout the antenatal testing process.
Internet resources for people attending the genetics clinic because of their family history of cancer:
Macmillan Macmillan Cancer Support provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.
Breast Cancer Care Breast Cancer Care offer support and information to people affected by breast cancer. Specific information is available for people with a family history of breast cancer.
Beating Bowel Cancer Beating Bowel Cancer raises awareness and provides support and information to anybody worried about or affected by bowel cancer.
Useful resources for professionals
Genomics Education Programme - This programme provides free information, education and training resources for all NHS staff and have a number of online courses, resources and factsheets available covering genomics.
British Society for Genetic Medicine (BSGM)
Association for Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (AGNC)
The North West Thames Regional Genetics laboratories are part of the UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN).
Our resources for professionals
Family history questionnaire for cancer genetics referrals. This should always be accompanied by a referral - please see the Cancer Genetics Referrals section for more details.
Our urgent prenatal referral form can be faxed to 020 8869 3106 to refer pregnant patients for genetic counselling. Further information about referrals can be found in the Information for Professionals section on the Service tab above.
Please see the Laboratory services section for more resources for professionals.
Associated services
The National Ehlers-Danlos Diagnostic Service is based within our service. For more information about this service and how to refer please click here.
We have close links with the Family Cancer Clinic for individuals and families with a family history of colorectal cancer. This service is based at St Mark's Hospital.
The Polyposis Registry is also based at St Mark's Hospital. A helpline is available for individuals and families with multiple bowel polyps.
