The Developmental Disorders Team includes doctors, counsellors, scientists and researchers working at the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine.
Developmental disorders are conditions that result in malformations of internal organs, intellectual disability or related symptoms. These can result from chromosome differences, genetic changes or unusual environmental exposures during foetal life. Over 1000 genetic developmental disorders are now known and the list is still growing. The aim of our clinics is to provide information and help to clarify diagnosis, management and treatment plans for patients with developmental disorders of all ages.
We are passionate about education, training, research, innovation, engagement and advocacy in Clinical Genetics: we organise local, national and international specialist courses for doctors and genetic counsellors. Our team members are very active in research projects of international reputation.
Our clinics are held on the 6th floor of Saint Mary’s Hospital or in other hospitals on the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust main site. We also offer out-reach clinics in hospitals across the North West, usually in district hospitals, including Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Lancaster, Macclesfield, Oldham, Preston, Rochdale and Tameside.
We also offer urgent appointments. These are usually available only at St Mary’s Hospital but occasionally at out-reach clinics if there is space available. We offer ward consults for in-patients at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
In addition we run specialist and multidisciplinary clinics for children and adults with
Referrals to these clinics can be arranged by writing directly to the individual lead clinician for each clinic.
For patients with intellectual disability, first line genetic and other diagnostic testing should have been carried out by the referring team before referral and details/copies of results should be included with the referral letter.
Referrals are accepted from GPs, medical specialists, specialist nurses, midwives and healthcare colleagues throughout the North West region. Referrals to genetic clinics are usually to a named consultant but, if not specified, are allocated according to a consultant with a special interest, an appropriate out-reach clinic or to the urgency clinic.
We are able to offer appointments to some patients who live outside the North West of England if there is a clinical need for an opinion from one of our specialist consultants and if referred by their GP or specialist. However, as patients will often require follow-up appointments, in this circumstance a referral to a local regional service is encouraged.
