Funded Genomics Training
What is genomics?
Genomics is the study of a person’s genes (genome). It is a rapidly advancing discipline that offers opportunities to transform the care patients receive, some of which include:
HEIW ensure that this service can be offered to patients throughout Wales so the best care possible is provided.
Why do healthcare professionals need to know about Genomics?
Rapid advances in the study of the human genome provide huge opportunities to healthcare, no matter your area of clinical practice. This significant benefit to patients cannot be realised in NHS Wales without up-skilling everyone who makes up our healthcare workforce to enable increased integration of genomics into patient pathways.
Strategic Workforce Plan for Genomics
In 2020, Wales signed as a partner in Genome UK: the future of healthcare (a 10-year strategy to create the most advanced genomic healthcare system in the world) and subsequently published the Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales 2022-2025.
One of the actions in the Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales was to produce a Strategic Genomics Workforce Plan. Health Education and Improvement Wales worked in partnership with Genomics Partnership Wales to produce this plan, and it was officially launched on 15th November 2024.
The plan sets out a roadmap for the next three years with 33 actions identified to support the workforce in harnessing genomic medicine for the benefit of patients and the population.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) will continue its collaboration with Genomics Partnership Wales (GPW) to support the implementation of the plan.
GeNotes
Developed by NHS England, GeNotes are quick and concise resources which can help healthcare professionals make the right genomics decisions at each stage of a clinical pathway.
Further resources specific to the clinical pathways in Wales will be available shortly.
Funded Genomics Training
To embed genomics as a regular service throughout healthcare in Wales, the NHS Wales workforce need to be educated about it and how it impacts on their practice.
We have attached below funded training opportunities in genomics for NHS Wales staff.
Fundamentals of Genomics Online Module
This short, six-part online module will give you a basic understanding of genomics, why it’s important to your practice, and how you can use it to provide patient-centred care.
All NHS Wales staff are invited to undergo this training. The module can be accessed via Y Ty Dysgu, HEIW’s online learning system. You will need an account on Y Ty Dysgu with an ‘@wales.nhs.uk’ email address to access this training.
MSc Level Modules in Genomics Medicine
For more in-depth training, HEIW are offering funding for NHS Wales staff to complete MSc level modules in genomics medicine with either Cardiff or Bangor University.
The following modules are available:
Further Information and Useful Links
With a well-trained workforce and appropriate genomic testing in place, NHS Wales can transform the delivery of healthcare for the benefit of patients. For further information about the genomics programme, please contact HEIW.Genomics@wales.nhs.uk
