Clinic Info

Biochemical Diseases Clinic

The Clinic provides assessment, treatment and follow-up care to children throughout B.C. and Yukon who have inborn errors
of metabolism, liver disease, and a variety of disorders affecting nutrition and growth.

In order to provide comprehensive care to our patients, a multidisciplinary approach is used. The Biochemical Diseases Team
consists of physicians and clinic fellows, clinic nurses, dieticians, social worker, psychologist and secretaries. Other services
such as occupational and/or physiotherapy is involved as needed. The team also works closely with the Children’s Hospital
Biochemical Genetics Laboratory and the Newborn Screening Laboratory. The patient and his or her family are also important
members of the team.

More information about biochemical and metabolic diseases could be found in the Family Resource Library. The library has
pamphlets, books and videotapes for loan. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Ambulatory Care Building.

How the Clinic Works

• Outpatients are seen at the Biochemical Diseases Clinic in the Ambulatory Clinic Building at B.C.’s Children’s Hospital.
• The clinic is located on the Ist floor under bulkhead # 5.
• Clinics are held Monday and Wednesday afternoons of each week.
• During a clinic visit, weight, height and blood pressure measurements will be taken by the Clinic nursing assistant.
• The Clinic Nurse may meet with you to discuss the assessments planned and any concerns you may have.
• Assessment will be made by the physician or clinical fellow and plans for treatment discussed.
• You may also meet with a dietician, social worker or psychologist.
• Other assessments, such as blood testing, X-rays, developmental testing or neurological assessments, may also be arranged.

If other assessments are required and the patient lives outside the lower mainland, we will try to schedule them for the same day or as close to the clinic appointment as possible. You can assist us with this by making sure we know which other physicians and programs you are involved with at BC Children’s Hospital and when you are due to be seen for follow-up. Clinic appointments will be scheduled by the secretary approximately one month to six weeks in advance and you will be notified by mail. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please notify the secretary at least two weeks in advance in order to allow us to see another patient at that time.

Please note, missing appointments or changing them unnecessarily causes problems and wastes staff resources.

The results from the assessments and/or clinic visit are discussed by the full clinic team at a regular meeting to ensure that all
aspects are considered and proper action is taken.

Please let Biochemical Diseases Clinic know if your child is going to be scheduled for a medical or surgical procedure.

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Biochemical Diseases Home Page

Updated: August 31, 2007