What we do

We provide the following services:

  • Review of pregnancy related issues: a personal or family history of a genetic condition that may put a pregnancy at risk.

  • Assessment of conditions that may have a genetic origin: e.g. infants, children and adults with developmental delay or a possible syndrome diagnosis.

  • Counselling for chromosomal alterations.

  • Predictive testing: for patients who are well but are at risk of inheriting a genetic disorder running in the family e.g. Huntington disease or other inherited neurological conditions. Predictive genetic testing should always be referred to the genetics service for genetic counselling.

  • Assessment of family cancer history to determine the level of risk, potiential screening recommendations and whether genetic testing is warranted e.g.personal or family history of breast cancer.

Outreach Clinics

We run outreach clinics in a large number of hospitals other than the three base hospitals so that the genetics service is available within a short traveling distance from most areas. The frequency of these clinics varies according to demand. You may be able to be seen sooner if you are willing to travel to your main hub.

Anyone who would like advice about a genetic condition should ask their doctor to refer them to their local genetic services hub (Auckland Hospital, Wellington Hospital or Christchurch Hospital) who will arrange an appointment if necessary at the nearest outreach clinic.

Outreach clinics are available at the following locations:

Northern Hub

This service covers the upper half of the North Island. It is based in Auckland and provides outreach clinics in:

  • Whangarei Hospital

  • Manukau Super Clinic

  • Waikato Hospital

  • Tauranga Hospital

  • Rotorua Hospital

  • Gisborne Hospital

Central Hub

This service covers the lower half of the North Island and Nelson. It is based in Wellington and provides outreach clinics in:

  • Taranaki Base Hospital

  • Napier Health Centre

  • Whanganui Hospital

  • Palmerston North (The Palms Medical Centre)

  • Kenepuru Hospital

  • Hutt Hospital

  • Nelson Bays Primary Health Centre (Richmond)

South Island Hub

This service covers all of the South Island (except Nelson). It is based in Christchurch and provides outreach clinics in:

  • Grey Base Hospital

  • Timaru Hospital

  • Lakes District Hospital

  • Dunedin Hospital

  • Southland Hospital

Who we are

Clinical Geneticists are medical doctors with specialist training in medical genetics. Patients are likely to see them before a diagnosis has been made.

 

Genetic Counsellors (also known as Genetic Associates) are healthcare professionals with training in human genetics and counselling. Genetic Counsellors are certified through the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. Patients are likely to see them about a known condition.

National Clinical Director

National Clinical Director

Dr Kate Neas (Central Hub)

Northern Hub

Northern Hub

Clinical Geneticists

  • Dr Ian Hayes, Clinical Director, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Juliet Taylor, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Patrick Yap, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Raoul Heller, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Candice Feben, Clinical Geneticist

 

Genetic Counsellors

  • Kim Gamet, Team Leader, Senior Genetic Counsellor
  • Cindy Zaitsoff, Senior Genetic Counsellor
  • Jenny Eaton, Senior Genetic Counsellor
  • Kelly Sullivan, Genetic Counsellor
  • Harry Fraser, Genetic Counsellor
  • Suzannah Bawden, Genetic Counsellor
  • Hayley Green, Genetic Counsellor
  • Stephanie Burcher, Genetic Counsellor
  • Anita Lee, Associate Genetic Counsellor
  • Elisha Swainson, Associate Genetic Counsellor
  • Matilda Hinton, Associate Genetic Counsellor


Intake Assistant

  • Kirsten Craddock
  • Rebecca Penny

Central Hub

Central Hub

Clinical Geneticists

  • Dr Kate Neas, Clinical Leader, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Gemma Poke, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Colina McKeown, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Zoe Webster, Genetic Registrar

Genetic Counsellors

Alice Christian, Team Leader, Senior Genetic Counsellor

  • Emma Felix, Senior Genetic Counsellor
  • Sally Jackson, Genetic Counsellor
  • Sarah Collis, Genetic Counsellor
  • Nadia Preitner, Genetic Counsellor
  • Nicola Menzies, Genetic Counsellor
  • Kate Heraty, Genetic Counsellor

South Island Hub

South Island Hub

Clinical Geneticists

  • Dr Birgit Zirn, Clinical Geneticist
  • Professor Stephen Robertson, Clinical Geneticist
  • Dr Alison Macharg
  • Dr Alex Henderson, Clinical Leader, Clinical Geneticist

 

Genetic Associates

  • Linda Cheng, Team Leader, Senior Genetic Associate
  • Jan Sullivan, Senior Genetic Associate
  • Jordan Wood, Associate Genetic Counsellor
  • Suretha Erasmus, Genetic Counsellor

Where to find us

Northern Hub

Northern Hub

Auckland City Hospital
Private Bag 92024
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142

Ph: (09) 307 4949 Ext. 25870
Toll Free: 0800 476 123
Email: GenSec@adhb.govt.nz

Central Hub

Central Hub

Wellington Hospital
Private Bag 7902
Wellington 6242

Ph: (04) 385 5310
Toll free: 0508 364 436
Fax: (04) 385 5822
Email: genetic.services@ccdhb.org.nz

South Island Hub

South Island Hub

Christchurch Hospital
Private Bag 4710
Christchurch 8140

Ph: (03) 378 6574
Toll free: 0508 364 436
Email: genetic.servicenz@cdhb.health.nz

Privacy and confidentiality

Clinical genetics records are kept within the regional genetic service and remain separate from the main hospital notes. However, summary letters following a genetics consultation will usually be sent to referring clinicians. The summary letters will be held on the hospital electronic database and may be filed within the patient’s hospital notes or GP records.

The usual rules of medical confidentiality and New Zealand privacy laws apply to genetics records as with other medical records.

If medical records of family members are required to aid with diagnostic assessments, consent is sought from that relative. Clinical genetics records are not released to other parties unless explicit consent from the patient is obtained.