MoU secures future of community genetics program

Wolper Jewish Hospital has secured the future of its Community Genetics Program through a new laboratory partnership with Virtus Diagnostics.

A memorandum of understanding has been finalised for Virtus Diagnostics to deliver testing for both the high school and preconception screening programs, ensuring the continuation of a program that has operated for more than 30 years.

Recent changes within NSW Health meant that continuing the existing arrangement would have resulted in significantly increased costs. Wolper sought an alternative that would preserve access and affordability, and said the new arrangement maintains testing costs at comparable levels.

The program’s high school and preconception screening have identified carriers of genetic conditions more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews. Since its inception, no child affected by Tay Sachs disease has been born to individuals who participated in Wolper’s genetic screening program.

The program will initially continue largely in its current form, with free testing offered to Year 11 students at Moriah College, Emanuel School, Masada College, Kesser Torah and Reddam House, as well as to individuals and couples considering starting a family. Wolper said the new arrangements are expected to facilitate expansion of the program over time.

The hospital also acknowledged its longstanding collaboration with NSW Health Pathology, which delivered testing for the program for more than three decades.

“This is a very positive development for the program,” Wolper president Daniel Goldberg said.

“The new partnership allows us to continue this vital service without interruption or additional financial burden on the hospital or community. We are really excited to be working with Virtus Diagnostics, and look forward to the continued success and evolution of the program.”

Goldberg also expressed gratitude to the “extraordinary contribution” NSW Health Pathology had made over more than three decades.

“This has been the result of both the organisation’s commitment, and the hard work and passion of NSW Health Pathology staff members,” he said.

“Their partnership has been fundamental to the program’s success and impact … I’d also like to acknowledge the significant efforts of key contributors, including Wolper director Dr Lesley Andrews and Professor Leslie Burnett, whose expertise and leadership were instrumental in bringing the new arrangement to fruition.”