The Developmental Disorders’ Team is a team of clinicians, counsellors, scientists and researchers working at the Centre for Genomic Medicine.
Developmental disorders are conditions that result in malformations of internal organs, intellectual disability or other related symptoms. These can result from chromosome aberrations, single gene 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.
Over recent years the underlying genetic basis of a large number of developmental disorders has been identified. Where it is appropriate our team provides genetic testing for families and patients with a genetic developmental disorder.
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 that are held 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, routine screening tests 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 happy to see patients who live outside the North West of England who wish to be seen at our centre 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.
