Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Our Inborn Errors of Metabolism service provides treatment and education for individuals, and their carers, with inborn errors of metabolism. An inborn error of metabolism is a genetic condition in which the body cannot properly turn food into energy.
Patients may be referred to us from within our hospital or from the community. They may also be transferred from a different hospital such as from Perth Children’s Hospital.
Our clinics are staffed by Consultant Endocrinologists and dietitians. We can provide referrals to social work and clinical psychology if needed.
The Inborn Errors of Metabolism service is a trial site for the QRious project, supporting young people to successfully transition from Perth Children’s Hospital to Royal Perth Hospital. Visit the QRious webpage for more information.
Important information for our patients
- Please come to your appointments – even if you think you haven’t been managing your IEM well recently. You won’t get in trouble. We want to support you to stay healthy.
- If you do need to reschedule your appointment, you can do that by calling the clinic on (08) 6477 5213, or email us at RPH.IEM@health.wa.gov.au.
- If you have a question about your care you can email us, call the clinic or if urgent phone through the RPH switch board on 9224 2244 and ask to speak to the on-call endocrinologist.
- Check what you need to bring in to your appointment and make sure you have all the right things.
- If you are feeling unwell present to your local hospital or RPH emergency department.
Meet the IEM Team
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| Kharis Burns | Damon Bell | Catherine Manolikos |
- You may have been provided with a sick day management plan, our team will discuss this with you.
- Please carry a copy of this plan with you at all times. You may like to have it saved in your phone too.
- Bring this plan with you to hospital if you are ever unwell and need urgent care.
- Please make sure any supplies necessary for sick day management such as SOS-25 are in date and you have enough. We will provide you with extra supplies if you need them.
When you are living with an Inborn Error of Metabolism, you can need to order special foods, such as low protein foods. There are various nutritional companies that provide these foods. These include:
You might be told you need to get a blood test, or get blood work done.
If you choose to have your blood tests done at RPH, you can go to Pathwest on Level 3 in Goderich Street (this is the same building as our clinic).
Otherwise you can also choose to get your blood work done somewhere else. Options might include Western Diagnostics, Clinipath and Australian Clinical Labs.
Make a note of where you get your test done. It might be a good idea to take a photo of the sign or their logo if you think you might forget. This means we can find your results later.
If you have been asked to have blood work done, try to have your blood tests done in time for your next appointment, ideally 1-2 weeks before. This is so your results are ready for us to discuss.