HD Australia

Hi all,

My father is finally going to get tested in the coming months. He lives on the Sunshine Coast in QLD. My question is does anyone on here know of anywhere on the sunny coast where he can get tested or does he have to go to Brisbane? If he does have to go to Brisbane can anyone recommend a Genetic Counselor and Genetic Doctor who knows about HD and can help my dad in his quest to find out his status.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Daisy.

Hi Daisy, I do not know about the Sunny coast but the Royal Brisbane Hospital (opposite Ekka showgrounds) have a HD clinic where they do all the genetic counselling, testing, psychologist, neurologist, speach therapist and anyone else you might need all in the one centre. They hold HD clinic days every Friday so just give them a call and they will be very helpful! Don't know the number off hand, but call the Royal Brisbane Hospital and ask them to put you through to the HD clinic. I have been there several times with Dad for his yearly checkups and they schedule his appointments one after the other so he only has to go once a year and it only takes a couple of hours! There are so many other services available too, linked into the ADHA (library, carers support group, respite, therapy classes, friend match program...) which I had no idea about until I went there myself with Dad.

They do travel up to Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Townsville and Cairns so they might visit Sunshine Coast as well - it is all the same team of medical professionals no matter where he sees them, but you might need to wait longer for an appointment. Iris (one of the counsellors who is just so caring and friendly) does home visits too and I believe she does go out that way - her phone number is 3360 4888 or 0432 462 479. She will be so happy to hear from you or your Dad!

I live in Brisbane so if there is any way I can help, let me know! Shy

Thanks Shy,

All that information is very helpful.

Hi Daisy,

I'm Linda who had my testing done at Nambour Hospital on the Sunshine Coast.  They have a lovely Genetics Councillor at Nambour her name is Karen Crowe.

They were very helpful empathatic and very professional. YThe testing and councilling is done isn small rooms at the hospital, perhaps what Shy is talking about is has a lot more information and all the back up you could need.  

I didn't realise there was an infrastucture set up in Brisbane.

Thanks Shy for the heads up on this I was totally unaware of the Brisbane Rooms and now feel more settled knowing this information is available to us  !!!  THANK YOU  !!  

Lots of love

Linda

Hi Linda,

From all I have found we thought he had to go to brisbane so it is fantastic to hear about Nambour. I know he will get the test done sooner having it closer to home.

Thankyou so very much,
Daisy.

No problems Daisy,

It is lovely to be of some help.

Perhaps your Dad has been to the Nambour Hospital being a Coast resident, some times he could be more comfortable in surrounds he knows.......

There is also quite a large number of services, such as Dieticians, etc. and Councillors.

The testing is done early in the week so the bloods can be sent out for testing.

The main switchboard can put you through and give you any required telephone numbers.

Let my know if I can be of any further assistance.