All Wales Psychiatric Genomics Service
The All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS), in partnership with the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, and the National Centre for Mental Health has developed the All Wales Psychiatric Genomics Service (AWPGS) which is a tertiary service designed to deliver genetic counselling to individuals and families affected by mental illness, and support the professionals involved in their care.
The aim of the service is to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary advice, genetic information and access to genetic testing, where appropriate, for individuals in whom there may be concerns about a genetic predisposition to mental health disorders. Giving mental health parity with other services.
Who Are We?
The AWPGS is delivered in partnership between genetics and mental health professionals. The leads for the service are based in Cardiff and currently deliver the psychiatric genetics clinic from the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays. This is however an all Wales service with professionals attending the MDT from across Wales. We offer a bespoke service across Wales, asking Genetics colleagues in locality to assist us where necessary.
Our multi disciplinary team (MDT) is attended by many different professionals including; Psychiatrists, Geneticists, Genetic Counsellors, Clinical Scientists, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Paediatricians, and Researchers.
Meet the team
What We Offer
We provide input for individuals and families who have questions about:
- The possible genetic implications of a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder.
- The possible genetic risks to them and their family if they have a family history of mental health disorders, including preconception and perinatal genetic risk advice.
- The risk of developing a mental health disorder associated with a known neuropsychiatric genetic risk variant(s) ascertained by NHS genetic testing or findings from specific NCMH research.
- We also provide consultations to healthcare professionals seeking advice regarding their patients from our expert Multidisciplinary Team.
To find out more information, please click here to access our information leaflet.
Genetic variants associated with an increased risk of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders
Copy number variants associated with an increased risk of developing mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions include:
1q21.1 deletion
1q21.1 duplication
2p16.3 exonic deletion (NRXN1)
3q29 deletion
7q11.23 duplication
15q11.2 deletion
15q13.3 deletion
15q11-13 duplication
16p11.2 duplication
16p12.1 deletion
16p13.11 duplication
22q11.2 deletion
Many other genetic variants and conditions have an associated increased risk of developing mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. We can also advise on these via our MDT meetings or patient appointments. If you are unsure whether your patient requires referral to our service, please contact us.
How to make a referral?
Contact us
Phone: +44 2921 834000
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Referrals are accepted from Clinical Genetics and mental health professionals. We have referral criteria that can be accessed below:
 |
Referral Criteria |
For those who wish to arrange an SNP array test for their patient there is a psychiatric laboratory request form to go alongside the usual purple laboratory request form, please click below:
| |
Referral Form |
|
|
Purple Laboratory Form |
|
|
SNP Array Information Sheet |