About the Clinical Genetics department

The Clinical Genetics service covers a population of 4.5 million in North and East London and Essex.

Do you have a rare disease and are you worried about your risk of COVID-19?

A new interactive patient tool designed by Clinical Genetics doctors at GOSH in collaboration with the British Society for Genetic Medicine UK Clinical Genetics Society is now available. The online tool guides you through a series of questions to better understand your risk and what precautions you should take to look after yourself. This does not replace the advice you get from your doctor, but could help open a conversation about your COVID-19 risk. Click here.

We want to reassure families and healthcare workers that we remain open to referrals and can offer new and follow-up appointments by phone or video consultations. For those families where there is an urgent clinical need for face to face assessment, appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital can be offered. We are currently not able to run outpatient clinics at most of our peripheral hospital sites. We will resume hospital-based clinical outpatient activity in line with local and national guidance.

Non-urgent genetic testing has been impacted by COVID-19. As a result, routine genetic tests may take longer to activate and report.

Prenatal: If a patient is pregnant and seeking genetic advice, please refer urgently via the normal route.

Cancer: If a patient with cancer needs genetic testing where the results would change management, please refer urgently via the normal route.

To find out further information, please read our COVID-19 FAQ for children, young people and familiesfrom GOSH.

The Clinical Genetics service covers a population of 4.5 million in North and East London and Essex.

Our multidisciplinary team of doctors, genetic counsellors and clinical scientists provide support to children and adults affected by or at risk of genetic disorders. Check out our videos below to learn more about genetic testing.

Our services include:

• Diagnosis of genetic disorders
• Risk assessment and genetic counselling for patients with a family history of an inherited disorder or a family cancer syndrome
• Predictive genetic testing including prenatal diagnosis for some genetic disorders

What happens in the Genetics Clinic? Information for adults:

What happens in the Genetics Clinic? Information for children and young people: