30th July 2026
“Genomics is transforming the future of healthcare, offering opportunities to personalise treatment and improve outcomes for patients.”
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England and Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England.1
The Nursing and Midwifery Genomics Framework highlights the pivotal role that nurses and midwives play in driving the UK’s genomics transformation. Health visitors, with their universal reach and strong partnerships with families, have a unique opportunity to support babies, children and families in the transformation that genomics is bringing to healthcare.
From pregnancy through to early childhood, health visitors are often one of the first professionals to support a family when screening is taking place, to notice and respond to emerging developmental concerns, and work in partnership with parents as they navigate the process of assessment and diagnosis.
“…it is essential that we upskill our NHS workforce across all healthcare specialties and professions, with the nursing and midwifery workforce at the forefront of this transformation.”
Professor Kate Tatton-Brown, Clinical Director and head of National Genomics Education, NHS England.2
Operating at the intersection of community care, public health, prevention, and family support, health visitors are crucial in turning advances in genomics into meaningful, person-centred care during the early years.
To fulfil this role, health visitors need the confidence, knowledge, and skills to integrate genomics into practice. This is also reflected in the NMC (2022) Standards of Proficiency, which highlight the importance of applying genomics knowledge within SCPHN roles and maintaining ongoing professional development.
Introducing the iHV Genomics Ambassador Programme
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) has designed a programme to support the fulfilment of the health visitor role via its Genomics Ambassador Training Programme. This programme is designed to recognise health visitors’ existing skills and equip them with additional tools to embed genomics into everyday prevention and early intervention practice.
Launched in 2024 with a funded pilot, the programme has since expanded nationally, delivering high-quality training with outstanding feedback from participants. Health visitors consistently report increased confidence, improved understanding, and a strengthened ability to support families navigating genomic information.
Together, we are building a workforce ready to harness genomics – improving outcomes for babies, children, and families across the UK.
The training was great and has definitely increased my knowledge of genomics.
The value of the real-life stories was superb. Lots to go away and reflect on and explore.
Really enjoyed the session, very informative & knowledgeable speakers.
I look forward to discussing genomics within my role and learning more through access to the resources.
I felt I’d gained a lot around a topic I knew little about.
Brilliant sessions, highly qualified speakers. Would certainly highly recommend it.
Aim of the iHV Genomics Ambassador training programme
To enable health visitors to become iHV Ambassadors in genomics, equipped with knowledge and understanding to become place-based leaders in raising awareness of genomics.
Learning outcomes
- To equip health visitors with relevant knowledge and understanding of genomics
- Enable health visitors to apply and promote genomics in their everyday practice
- Support health visitors to become place-based leaders, with tools and learning resources to:
-raise awareness of genomics within health visiting localities
–connect with wider genomic provision in the NHS
–continue professional development in genomics.
“I would recommend the iHV Genomics Ambassador Training Programme to all health visitors. It is tailored to our unique role, provides practical application by hearing from those with lived experience and exploring case studies, and fosters networking opportunities with the local genomic medicine services to better support babies, children and families.”
Sally Shillaker, iHV Professional Lead (Innovation and Research)
If you’d like to find out more about the iHV Genomics Ambassador Training and how it can help you to better support your local families, please contact us for a chat at [email protected].
iHV can offer this training to you and your colleagues or team/s. We can offer this as either in person or online training, and we can work with you to tailor it to your specific workforce – contact us at [email protected] to discuss your specific requirements.
**Book your place on the next iHV Genomics Ambassador Training event on 12 and 19 October. **
References
- Burton D. Chief Nursing Officer for England. Forward. Nursing and Midwifery Genomics Framework in England. 2025. [Accessed 22.07.2026]. Available at: NHS England » Nursing and midwifery genomics framework in England
- Tatton-Brown K. Clinical Director and head of National Geonomics Education, NHS England. Nursing and Midwifery Genomics Framework in England. 2025. [Accessed 22.07.2026]. Available at: NHS England » Nursing and midwifery genomics framework in England
