Huntington’s Disease Service SA at Flinders Medical Centre

The South Australian Huntington’s Disease Service is available statewide and is located within the Social Work & Counselling Service at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC).

Services

  • social work service for people with Huntington’s disease and their families/carers
  • community education about Huntington’s disease
  • predictive testing program for people ‘at risk’ of Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington's Disease is a progressive, autosomal dominant, neuro-degenerative condition, that affects cells in the central part of the brain. A person’s emotional/behavioural, physical, and cognitive areas may be affected.

Each child of a person with the Huntington’s disease gene is at 50% risk of inheriting the affected gene. There is a direct gene test available and non-symptomatic ‘at risk’ individuals may choose to undertake predictive testing to establish their genetic status.

The Predictive Testing program follows international guidelines, and provides information and counselling to assist individuals to decide if they would like to have the predictive test, and to prepare for the results of such testing.

Referrals & Contact Details

Referrals for predictive testing or other services may be made to:

Senior Social Worker
South Australian Huntington’s Service
Repat Health Precinct, Daws Road, DAW PARK SA 5041
Telephone: (08) 7117 7037
Fax: (08) 7117 5081
Email: Health.SAHuntingtonService@sa.gov.au

Referrals for predictive testing may also be made to:

Adult Genetics Unit
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Level 8 (8F401.52; MDP 63), Port Road, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Telephone: (08) 7074 2697
Fax: (08) 8429 6112
Email: adultgenetics@sa.gov.au