Just in case it’s of use to anyone, I wanted to post that there are now a couple of private clinics in Australia offering genetic counselling and ordering genetic testing through accredited laboratories for all types of patients and disorders (i.e. not limited to starting a family or hereditary cancer risk). One of the clinics states that no referral is needed.
I didn’t see these services last time I searched, about six months ago, so I suppose they are new. I don’t know whether I will use one or not. I am waiting to see a neurologist about a genetic disorder, and if he proves to be unhelpful I may explore this angle.
It will be expensive, with one clinic charging $AU450 for the initial consultation. Testing costs aren’t listed at all, but from snippets here and there I would guess you might be looking at $500 to $2000, depending on how complex the testing is. You should be able to get an idea of the possible cost beforehand.
This kind of service might be of help if you have reason to suspect a particular genetic disorder (or group of disorders) but can’t get anywhere in the public system, or if you are facing a very long wait in the public system.
I don’t know whether I can afford it or not. I will wait and see what happens when I see the neurologist in August. I will post here again if I contact a private clinic and get a quote.
The waiting time for non-urgent genetic testing through the public system in Australia can be long. I have seen mentions of one year being standard, with some patients waiting up to three years. Ouch.
I didn’t see these services last time I searched, about six months ago, so I suppose they are new. I don’t know whether I will use one or not. I am waiting to see a neurologist about a genetic disorder, and if he proves to be unhelpful I may explore this angle.
It will be expensive, with one clinic charging $AU450 for the initial consultation. Testing costs aren’t listed at all, but from snippets here and there I would guess you might be looking at $500 to $2000, depending on how complex the testing is. You should be able to get an idea of the possible cost beforehand.
This kind of service might be of help if you have reason to suspect a particular genetic disorder (or group of disorders) but can’t get anywhere in the public system, or if you are facing a very long wait in the public system.
I don’t know whether I can afford it or not. I will wait and see what happens when I see the neurologist in August. I will post here again if I contact a private clinic and get a quote.
The waiting time for non-urgent genetic testing through the public system in Australia can be long. I have seen mentions of one year being standard, with some patients waiting up to three years. Ouch.