Course to upskill the NHS workforce in Genomics and Counselling skills

The National Genomics Education (NGE) team has a focus on providing genomic education and resources for the specialist and non-specialist clinical and non-clinical workforce. Mainstreaming genomics involves routine integration of genomic tests into clinical care, carried out by front-line clinical workforce rather than solely by clinical genetic departments. Many do not currently have the basic subject knowledge, understanding and confidence that would enable them to integrate genomics into their service. A Genomics and Counselling skills course, which can be delivered online supported by tutors and peer-group through synchronous and asynchronous learning, will assist in enabling these professionals, who are frequently the first contact for patients and their families, to understand genomics and its application in healthcare.<br/>A university provider is currently contracted with NGE to develop and deliver a Genomics and Counselling skills course which initially began for Nurses and Midwives, however, the students in the final cohort are from a range of professions who require fundamental knowledge. This year (cohort 4) we had over double the number of applicants to places and continually receive requests for details of future cohorts which cannot be provided as this contract will end in Feb 2024.<br/>A contract will be put in place with an organisation to deliver an online course to provide the opportunity for healthcare workers to learn the fundamentals of genomics as applied to rare diseases, cancer, and infectious disease, and an introduction to genetic counselling skills in the context of the new Genomic Medicine Service. The contract would be in place across 5 years.