AB016. A new model of provision of clinical genetics service

Background: Traditionally, most services for clinical genetics are conducted by the public sector, including the government and university departments covering programs in clinical and public health genetics, and academic activities in research and education. The recent advances in genetics and genomics have resulted in increasing demands for this kind of services in the society. This paper discusses the experience in setting up such a genetic service in a private institute in Hong Kong.

Methods: Before organizing this new service, the following issues were examined, the needs and demands of genetic services in the local private sector, how it should be funded, whether there is sufficient human and technological resources to run it, and what needs to be provided for its continuous development, including education and research. This is followed by detail planning and implementation, with regular auditing of outcomes.

Results: The Clinical Genetics Service (CGS) of the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital was started in July 2016. It consists of regular genetic diagnostic and counselling clinics, supported by an in-house laboratory including cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical and hematological diagnostic laboratories. CGS works closely with the Reproductive Centre in the hospitals, which provides prenatal and pre-implantation component of genetic testing. Examples of cases seen in CGS are presented with emphasis on the referral patterns, service logistics, clinical outcome and research potential.

Conclusions: This is the first of this kind of private genetic service in Hong Kong. Its experience can serve as a new model for providing clinical genetic service in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Keywords: Clinical genetics; service; private; Hong Kong