North York General Hospital’s clinical service offers genetic counselling, assessment and diagnosis to a wide range of patients who meet with a genetic counsellor and/or clinical geneticist. We aim to provide information and support to our patients in a clear and sensitive manner. We will ask questions about a person’s family history and might ask to collect medical records on the patient or his/her relatives. Medical records can give specific details needed for genetic assessment. Genetic disease can have far-reaching implications for the extended family. The Genetics Program has a unique and strong family-focused approach to patient care.
Genetic testing is offered in certain situations. The limitations and benefits of genetic testing are discussed at length with patients to help them make an informed choice.
Patients with an upcoming cancer genetic counselling appointment should watch this video prior to their appointment.
To watch the video with real-time closed captioning (subtitles), please click on the CC logo in the lower right corner after the video starts.
We offer services for:
North York General Hospital’s genetics prenatal services are available for:
Genetic counselling for high-risk maternal serum screens (First Trimester Screening or Second Trimester Screening), abnormal ultrasound findings, and abnormal or inconclusive Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) results
Genetic counselling for a family history of a chromosome condition or other genetic disorders
Prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling (CVS)
In order to address your patient’s referral in a timely manner, please ensure all relevant documents are sent with the referral, including ultrasounds, CBC, Group and Screen, Antenatal 1, Maternal Screening results.
Additional Information
For more information about prenatal screening in Ontario, please refer to the Prenatal Screening Ontario webpage.
Contact us
Unit E8, 2 Champagne Dr.
Toronto ON M3J 2C5
Tel: 416-756-6345
Fax: 416-756-6727
North York General Hospital’s services for general clinical genetics include:
Assessment, counselling and diagnosis for individuals of all ages or families with known or suspected genetic disease
Assessment, counselling and diagnosis for individuals with developmental delay and/or birth defects
Geneticists are available to consult with parents who have sick newborns in the nursery.
A referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner is required. When sending a referral, please provide relevant documentation. Examples include:
Medical records for the affected individual such as:
Genetic test results
Doctor’s consultation letters
Pathology reports from surgery
Test results, such as x-rays, ultrasounds, and blood work
Relevant family history including:
Who in the family has the condition(s)
How are they related to the patient
Age of diagnosis or age of onset
What to expect at a genetics appointment?
Your appointment may be in-person or virtual, depending on whether a physical examination is needed. You will meet with a genetic counsellor or geneticist, or sometimes both. Your family and medical history will be taken either during your appointment or through questionnaires prior to your appointment. Some patients might be offered genetic testing through either a blood or saliva sample. The geneticist/genetic counsellor will discuss genetic testing options with you, if you are eligible.
If there is a specific diagnosis, the geneticist/genetic counsellor will explain how the condition could affect your, or your child’s and other family members’ health. They will also discuss any management issues for the condition.
The Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg Familial Cancer Clinic provides genetic assessment and counselling for individuals and families at increased risk for inherited cancer. Our multidisciplinary team meets with patients to discuss their hereditary cancer risk, cancer screening, preventive options, and the provincial eligibility criteria for genetic testing, as well as to assess patients’ eligibility for the high-risk Ontario Breast Screening Program. Where indicated, genetic testing is done by the North York General Hospital molecular genetics laboratory.
Patients with an upcoming cancer genetic counselling appointment should watch this video prior to their appointment.
To watch the video with real-time closed captioning (subtitles), please click on the CC logo in the lower right corner after the video starts.
Families and individual at risk for Huntington disease and other hereditary neurodegenerative diseases are able to access North York General Hospital’s genetic counseling services. Patients will meet with a genetic counsellor and/or a medical geneticist to determine if genetic testing (including predictive testing) is right for them.
Patients with Huntington disease can receive long-term care follow-up in our multidisciplinary clinic. Patients attending the clinic have access to genetics, neurology, psychiatry, social work services, as well as opportunities to participate in clinical research studies.
