Genetics Clinic

Genetics Clinic (wC 2–3rd Floor), CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1

We are open Monday to Friday 7:45a.m. to 4:30p.m

Genetics referral form

General family history questionnaire

Hereditary Cancer Clinic referral

Do I need to indicate if my patient or their partner is currently pregnant?

Yes, pregnancy (patient/patient’s partner) may expedite your referral. To avoid delays, please ensure you include:

• Last Menstrual Period (LMP) date
• Ultrasound reports (e.g. first trimester, second trimester, level II),
• All prenatal screening results for this pregnancy (e.g. FTS/NIPT)
• Lab report for blood group
• Relevant family records (e.g. genetic testing results of family member, autopsy report of previous affected child)

Do I refer to the Genetics program if my patient has a history of hereditary cancer?

Yes, the Hereditary Cancer clinic has its own referral form, available on our Hereditary Cancer Program page. Referrals should be faxed to 613-738-4822.

Do I refer to the Genetics program if my patient needs a Metabolics or Neurodevelopmental Disorders assessment/services?

No, referrals to the Metabolics Clinic at CHEO should be faxed to 613-738-4216 and referrals to the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Diagnosis Clinic (NDDC) should faxed to 613-738-4258

My referral was declined. Why might that be?

Why do you ask for ‘relevant’ health records?

Health records review is often critical to determine a patient’s differential diagnosis, eligibility for genetic testing, and which type of genetics provider is best suited to see your patient. Relevant records may include:

• Medical reports related to the diagnosis in question
• Test results (e.g. blood work, medical imaging)
• Consult notes for this patient and/or their affected relative

Download the Consent to Disclosure of Personal Health Information form

How long will my patient wait for an appointment?

Wait-times are variable. Each referral is assessed, triaged and assigned a priority level. Our goal is to see:

• Urgent referrals in less than three weeks (e.g. pregnancies, newborns)
• Semi-urgent referrals within 3 months (e.g. new genetic diagnosis))
• Routine referrals within 6 months, but wait-times can be longer

What happens if my patient misses their appointment?

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, if your patient misses their appointment without calling ahead to let us know they won’t be coming, we will decline the referral and request a new one. Your patient will then be placed back on the waitlist.

Encourage your patients to explore their family history!

Please encourage your patient to obtain any relevant information, such as results of genetic testing, from relatives prior to their appointment in Genetics. Helpful forms (e.g. consent for release of information, family history) can be found on our Genetics Program page.

What is personal health information (PHI)?

PHI is any identifying information that relates to your health or
health care history. Examples of PHI include test results, your
health card number, details of visits to your doctor or your address.

What is the Personal Health Information Protection Act(PHIPA) and how does it relate to me?

PHIPA is the Ontario law that protects the privacy and
confidentiality of your personal health information. PHIPA sets the
rules for the collection, use and sharing of your PHI.

How does CHEO protect our personal health information?

CHEO uses physical, administrative and technical safeguards to make sure your information stays
private. For example, secure passwords and specific security measures For example, secure passwords
and specific security measures like locking computers and logging off when leaving a work station.
CHEO's privacy team provides ongoing education and training to all staff members and conducts
regular checks to see who is accessing your information.

How do I give my consent?

In general, we assume you give consent to share your information with people involved in your care.
We will ask for your consent before we collect, share or use your information for any other purpose
than our stated activities.

Who can see my PHI?

We only share your PHI with people who need it and have a right to it by law. The people who may see
this information include:

• members of your health-care team, inside CHEO and authorized external health-care providers
• people working for a health agency, such as the Ministry of Health, only if required by law
• other people for whom you have given your consent, or when required by law

CHEO is a contributing member to the following provincial organizations: Connecting Ontario,
the electronic Child Health Network (eCHN) and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). CCO is allowed to collect PHI from CHEO and other health information holders to facilitate or improve health care without a signed release.

This change came into effect in May 2018. If you are part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program, your information will automatically be submitted to CCO. This change in practice has been reviewed and approved by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

How is PHI used at CHEO?

As part of your genetics visit, your PHI helps your team provide health care. Your anonymous PHI will
also assist CHEO in improving the delivery of our programs and services, conduct quality improvement
and patient safety activities, as well as to teach and conduct research.

What are my rights related to privacy?

You have the right to:

• know why your PHI is collected, how it is used and shared
• ask to see your own PHI and to have a copy of it
• access or correct (if applicable) your PHI
• express your concerns about how your PHI is used or protected
• withdraw your consent for the different ways we use your health information
• put a privacy flag on your electronic health record if you have concerns about your PHI being
• accessed

What if I have questions about my PHI as it relates to my genetics visit?

Speak to your health-care professional during your visit or email privacy@cheo.on.ca with questions or
concerns about any of CHEO's privacy practices.

To provide clinical and laboratory services through all stages of life (preconception, prenatal, pediatric and adult).

As a leader in deciphering genetics, our mission is to translate research into knowledge to empower families to be their healthiest.

Answers for every family at all stages of life.

In accordance with our mission and vision, we strive to:

• Provide a complete range of high caliber screening, diagnostic and counselling services related to inherited diseases and birth defects, while demonstrating respect for our patients and their families at all life stages.
• Act as a resource for health care providers and the public concerning issues in genetics.
• Serve as a centre of excellence for postgraduate training of medical residents, genetic counsellors, laboratory technologists and scientists.
• Contribute to the understanding of genetic disease and birth defects by participating in research.
• Evaluate our program regularly in order to meet our goals of continuous improvement, innovation and professional development.