For couples and single patients interested in gene testing to
decrease their chance of having a child with a serious health
problem.
For couples using either natural conception or IVF to have a
child.
For healthy adults interested in a gene test that may predict a
future health problem.
Tests look for genes that can predispose to cancer, cardiovascular
diseases and others
Wellspring Genetics uses leading Australian and international
laboratories including
Color, Invitae, QML via Genomic Diagnostics, Sullivan
Nicolaides via Sonic Genetics, and VCGS Pathology.
All are certified by the relevant quality assurance
authorities for medical testing.
The cost of gene testing varies from about $350 to $995
depending on the test required. The most common test costs
about $400.
This cost is paid to the pathology laboratory, not Wellspring
Genetics.
Wellspring Genetics will aim to see any patients within two
weeks. A patient in the public hospital system may have to
wait up to 12 months.
Any patient with medical issues that need to be discussed can
also be offered a fast track appointment to see Dr Michael
Gattas at Brisbane Genetics.
Genetic counselling involves talking about a genetic condition with a health professional
like Vrunda, who has qualifications in both clinical genetics and counselling.
Vrunda worked as a science teacher for many years and had mastered the art of communicating
science. She went on to complete a Master of Science with honours in Genetic Counselling at
Griffith University in 2013. She has successfully achieved the title of
‘Fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australia’ (FHGSA) in 2020 and is a fully certified
Genetic Counsellor. Vrunda has authored one of the early papers on perceived interest in development
of private genetic counselling services in collaboration with primary care physicians in the Australia.
Vrunda is currently working as a Senior Genetic Counsellor at Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane
and Woman’s Hospital. Vrunda has a keen interest in familial cancer. Vrunda is passionate about
providing person-centred genetic counselling and supporting individuals to make informed decisions
about genetic testing for familial conditions including cancer and pre-pregnancy genetic counselling.
A genetic counselling session with Vrunda usually combines many different elements including talking
about your family health history, learning about specific conditions and how they are inherited,
talking about how to manage and prevent those conditions and finding out what genetic tests are available.
Attending a genetic counselling session does not mean that you must consider genetic testing, but it aims
to increase your understanding of genetic conditions and Vrunda will help you make an informed decision
around genetic testing.
Dr Gattas is a Physician or Medical Specialist who has completed
sub-specialty training in Clinical Genetics.
Dr Gattas graduated with honours from Sydney University Medical
School in 1986. He moved to Brisbane in 1988 to complete his
training in Paediatrics at the Mater Children’s Hospital. He then
moved to Melbourne with his young family and started training in
Clinical Genetics as a Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research
Institute. The next 3 years were spent in Birmingham in England
working in the West Midlands Clinical Genetics Service. He has
always worked in clinical practice, and not in research or
laboratory genetics practice.
Dr Gattas returned to Brisbane in 1996 and has worked for over
20 years in public hospital practice at
Genetic Health Qld. He started his private
practice at
Brisbane Genetics
in 2004. He has a broad experience in all aspects of genetics,
including cancer genetics, chromosome abnormalities, paediatric
genetics, IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). He
was an author of one of the earliest papers on the use of
video-consultation for clinical genetics practice in 2001.