Barnet clinic opens for screening for genetic conditions

SCREENING FOR genetic disorders prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews will become easier from next week with the opening of a clinic at Barnet Hospital.

The new facility, a tie-up with education and support charity Jnetics, will give people speedy access to testing, rather than having to wait for a screening session at a communal venue.

It will operate a half-day session on the first, third and fourth Thursday of the month. Users will not require a referral from a GP.

“All people need to do to book an appointment is to go online through the Jnetics’ website,” explained Greg Blank, the charity’s project and programme manager. “And a genetic counsellor will be on hand to answer their questions.”

A subsidy from Jnetics has pegged the cost of the saliva-based test at £190.

Mr Blank said that since the announcement of the Barnet facility, more than 50 people had expressed interest in arranging tests. “We have 10 people booked in for screening already.

“We wanted to make it easier for the community. Being in Barnet, we are hoping it means even more people will come to be tested, especially if they are getting married and are planning a family.”

It is important to make testing the norm, as in Israel and for American Jews. “We’re a little bit behind compared to them.”