About us
Does your child have a condition or illness that you suspect may run in the family?
Would you like information about how this may affect your other children or even their children in the future?
The community Genetics team can answer your questions, provide information as well as advice and let you know of other services which can help you and your family.
Our service was introduced to enhance the understanding of genetics within the community. Genes provide your body with instructions, for example what colour your hair will be, how your heart will function and how tall you will grow to be. Sometimes the genes in our body can be altered/changed which can give rise to a genetic condition. Families from all communities can be affected by genetic conditions, and it is at no fault of the parents, as the gene mutations occur by chance.
- For a more in depth and easy to understand explanation on genetic conditions and the different ways they can be inherited/passed on, please take a look at our Genes & You page
It is known that families affected with a genetic condition may not understand its cause or the implications it could have on their wider family. These families care for children or adults who have multiple complex needs due to a genetic condition and are sometimes unaware of the help available to them. Thus the community Genetic team was set up and we visit these families within their homes to provide information and offer support where we can.
We encourage families to attend and sometimes accompany them to the Genetics clinic where a qualified Genetic counsellor offers the appropriate help and advice to the family. The Genetic counsellor and the community Genetics team can help families to understand the chance of another child being born with the genetic condition and the potential implications for the wider family and their children. We offer our service in multiple languages including English, Punjabi, Urdu and Gujarati
- We support and advise families affected with genetic conditions when either a child or a parent is affected
- We enhance access to appropriate Genetic services based in Royal Blackburn Hospital and Royal Oldham Hospital on a weekly basis
- This can help families to obtain a diagnosis or understand a given diagnosis for a genetic condition
- We can offer advice and explain implications to the wider family and offer tests to other family members who are at risk
- We support families within their homes and their community to understand Genes and the role they play
- We help families to access other support and services that are available to them
- We are a strictly confidential and free service
- We also deliver information sessions to primary health care professionals as well as voluntary and community organisations on how Genes and recessive conditions in particular can affect children and their families
Our team are happy to visit you at home as it is a comfortable and safe space for you to talk to us about your concerns or worries. We provide a safe listening space as well as advice and support for you wherever possible.
A typical home visit can involve the following:
- A member of our team who can accommodate your language preferences will arrive at your house at a mutually convenient time
- We tell you a bit about us and our service
- Provide a confidential non-judgemental space for you to voice your worries and concerns
- Take a family history of any illnesses/disabilities that you or members of your family may have
- We may take the opportunity to map out your family tree in an attempt to discover any patterns of inheritance
- We can visit you at home after you have seen the genetic counsellor to answer any more questions or queries and to recap on any of the information given if need be.
- Provide information where possible on other support services that may be useful to you or your children