March 20, 2016

Victorian Health Minister, The Hon Jill Hennessy, today announced the disease areas for which the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance will provide genomic sequencing to selected patients and evaluate its usefulness for medical practice during 2016 and 2017. The announcement was made at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, one of the 10 Alliance members.

Genomic sequencing will be made available to more than 800 patients with specific medical conditions over the next two years, in tandem with their usual care.

Patients being treated at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Austin Hospital and Monash Medical Centre will be invited to participate, to determine whether genomic sequencing can provide:

  •  quicker and more accurate diagnosis of adults and children with defects in their immune systems
  •  improved detection of a genetic heart condition that, if left untreated, can result in sudden cardiac death
  •  quicker and more accurate diagnosis for infants and children who are unwell (in some cases acutely) due to a complex medical problem likely to involve two or more body systems
  •  better identification of genetic causes in infants diagnosed shortly after birth with severe deafness
  •  more precise diagnosis and treatment for patients with selected advanced cancers

“This work takes us a step closer to ensuring that patients who are likely to benefit will have access to genomic sequencing within the Victorian healthcare system,” said Melbourne Genomics’ Executive Director, Associate Professor Clara Gaff.

Patients with defects in their immune system are among the first to agree to genomic sequencing through Melbourne Genomics, which is funded by the 10 Alliance members and the Victorian Government.

The work announced today builds upon Melbourne Genomics’ initiatives over the past two years in which 316 patients received genomic sequencing. Early evaluation has found that sequencing is a far superior test for some conditions, providing quicker and more accurate diagnosis and improved patient care.

“We now know that, in some cases, genomic sequencing can make a substantial difference to the management of individual patients,” said Professor Ingrid Winship, Head of Genetic Medicine for Royal Melbourne Hospital. “In this next phase of work, we will move a step closer to implementing genomics into everyday practice within the Victorian healthcare system.”

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Melbourne Genomics acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, on whose lands we work, and all First Nations peoples across Victoria. We pay respect to Elders past and present. We also acknowledge the First Nations health professionals, researchers and leaders who are shaping the future of genomic medicine.

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