24th June 2024
In support of #GenomicsConversation week, we are delighted to share this Voices blog by Sally Shillaker, Practice Development Lead – Genomics at iHV, about the launch of our exciting new Genomics Ambassador Programme.
The iHV and Northwest Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (NW GMSA) recently held their first Genomic Ambassador event in Warrington. The programme has been devised to enable health visitors to develop their understanding of genomics, support families in their care more effectively and assist them to be part of mainstreaming genomics in all NHS healthcare.
Genomics is now recognised in the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses, Standards of proficiency for specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN) – The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk).
For example, (D.HV1: demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of infant and child anatomy, physiology, genetics, genomics and development when undertaking programmed health assessment and development reviews), highlights the responsibility practitioners now have to apply knowledge in this area to support families.
Working in partnership with NHSE Genomics Education Programme, the iHV has been gathering feedback from practitioners regarding their understanding of genomics. This included a national survey of health visitors (n=715) which highlighted that many respondents lacked knowledge, confidence and ability to apply genomics to practice. Most practitioners recognised the need for bespoke education and training to improve their capability in this new area of practice. This feedback informed the development of our new one-day ambassador training programme, which we were delighted to co-produce and facilitate with the NW GMSA.
41 practitioners attended the first training programme, with the aim of representing health visiting teams across the NW GMSA. The agenda was packed with topics including:
- promoting equity of access to genomic services
- developments in genomics affecting babies, children and families such as the Generation Study and pharmacogenomics
- navigating care and conversations in genomics across diverse populations
- the genomic needs of children who experience care placements
- epigenetics and its application to health visiting
- development of skills, such as drawing a genomic pedigree
To support wider dissemination and next steps, ambassadors were encouraged to think about embedding genomics into their practice, applying SCPHN standards to their continuing professional development, and connecting with the wider multi-disciplinary team engaged in genomics to support babies, children and families.
A real highlight of the day was hearing the lived experience of parents with a child living with a rare genetic condition and from organisations who support families. They all shared their experiences of navigating the associated – often complex – healthcare system and offered insight into the support they would like from their health visitor.
The new Genomics Ambassadors will be place-based leaders, sharing their knowledge with their local teams, promoting collaborative working with the local clinical genetics teams, encouraging all staff to develop their own knowledge by accessing the bespoke learning resources and events available from the NW GMSA (which even has a dedicated health visiting webpage) and the NHSE Genomics Education Programme with many useful resources for all healthcare professionals and information about funded courses available.
All Ambassadors will have access to a digital toolkit to support their role.
Preliminary feedback from the Ambassador training indicates that participants had increased confidence in genomics and its application to practice. Participants’ feedback will be used to inform and refine the programme for wider dissemination across other parts of the country in the future.
“It was a great day”
“Really informative and enjoyable”
North West Genomic Ambassadors!
#GenomicsConversation week
Each year, NHSE Genomics Education Programme hosts the #GenomicsConversation awareness raising week. This takes place 24-28 June this year and is focusing on the genomic journeys of patients and healthcare professionals.
It will look at the impact that genomics has on clinical care now and in the future. Each day has a different theme, and the overall aim is to shed a light on how genomics is “shaping patient care and increase healthcare professionals’ familiarity with the topic”. To find out more, visit #GenomicsConversation 2024 – Genomics Education Programme (hee.nhs.uk)
Congratulations to all the new health visiting Genomic Ambassadors. And thank you to the NW GMSA and NHSE Genomics Education Programme for their engagement and support. We are all in this together!
Sally Shillaker, Practice Development Lead – Genomics at iHV
Sally Shillaker
