The role of specialist nurses in cardiac genetics-the victorian experience: Supporting partnerships in care

Abstract

Objective In Victoria, Australia, a unique referral process exists for families who require investigation for possible inherited cardiac disease. This is spearheaded by a team of specialist nurses located at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH), the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), who ensure that all potentially at-risk families are offered the opportunity for clinical assessment and consultation. Setting In Victoria, approximately 5,500 deaths are reported to the Coroner each year. Where there is a suspicion of a causative heritable cardiac condition, the surviving relatives are offered referral to a tertiary centre for assess..