About the Genomics in the NHS programme
The Genomics in the NHS programme is a collection of elearning courses developed by NHS educational teams to support and educate healthcare professionals about genomic medicine and the benefit it will bring to patient care.
With the launch of the NHS Genomics Medicine Service (GMS) in England, more healthcare professionals than ever before are likely to encounter genomics in their daily role. As it increasingly becomes a part of routine care, all healthcare professionals, not just those within specialist departments, will need some level of understanding of the impact genomics will have on the diagnosis, treatment and management of a wide variety of conditions. The elearning courses have been developed for those directly involved in the GMS and the wider healthcare workforce.
The Genomics Education programme
Health Education England’s Genomics Education Programme (GEP) exists to deliver and advise on learning and development opportunities that prepare current and future NHS professionals to make the best use of genomics in their practice.
Launched in 2014, the GEP was created to ensure that our NHS workforce has the knowledge, skills and experience to keep the UK at the heart of the genomics revolution in healthcare.
To find out more about the GEP and its educational opportunities for the NHS workforce, visit the GEP website.
Foundation courses
These courses have been developed for healthcare professionals with limited exposure to genomics in their role.
- Genomics in Healthcare
- From Genes to Genome
- Taking and Drawing a Genetic Family History
- From Gene to Protein
- Inheriting Genomic Information
- Talking Genomics
- Dominant, Recessive and Beyond: How Genetic Conditions are Inherited
- Investigating the Genome Part 1: The Process
- Investigating the Genome Part 2: The Tests
- Public Health Masterclass in Genomics
Specialist courses
These courses are designed for healthcare professionals working in the NHS, who support patients through genomic testing. Individuals accessing these courses are expected to have a fundamental understanding of genomics, in relation to their clinical practice.
Additional contributor courses
-
Genomics in Clinical Practice: A work-based learning module
This module is in partnership with…
Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine (Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust), University of Liverpool and North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance.
About the module
Increasingly, genomic technologies are being utilised in the NHS to predict and diagnose inherited and acquired diseases and to personalise treatments and interventions.
This elearning module is aimed at healthcare professionals working with patients with rare diseases who are wanting to understand and integrate genomic healthcare into clinical practice.
Module content is based upon the genomic competencies outlined in the following two resources:
- “Fit for Practice in the Genetics/Genomics Era: a revised competency-based framework with learning outcomes and Practice indicators. A guide for nurse education and training” (Kirk et al 2011)
- Health Education England’s (HEE) “New competency framework for genomic testing” (2019).
For nurses and midwives, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standard reflection documentation is provided, so that learning can be documented to help demonstrate competency for nursing and midwifery revalidation. Other healthcare professionals are encouraged to use their professional templates to reflection on this module for their CPD.
This elearning module can be worked through at an individual’s own pace and sections can be navigated freely; allowing content to be revisited at any time. Reflection on learning and consideration the implications on clinical practice is requested at regular intervals throughout the module through quizzes and assessments.
More information
What you can expect from the elearning programme:
- Through a series of online resources, you will be provided with an overview of basic, general genomics knowledge which will then be assessed
- By undertaking self-directed learning, you will examine genomic knowledge specific to your area of practice, by identifying common genetic conditions.
You will also examine local pathways and support systems for the patients in your area. In order to do this, you will benefit from having identified a local facilitator who can support your learning and help with case-based discussions.
It would also be advisable to contact your local Clinical Genomics/Clinical Genetics Department to see what additional support is available to you.
You will develop skills and confidence to apply your genomics knowledge to your own patients. Specific practice competencies will be provided that will help structure the practical skills of communicating genomic knowledge to patients.
It is expected that these competencies will be assessed locally through your work-based facilitator and through self-reflection on practice.
- After completion of all of the sessions within the elearning programme, your learning achievements and competencies can be collated in a learning portfolio to demonstrate your learning, understanding and skills.
Reflective practice and competence practice will be utilised through the sessions to indicate where it may be appropriate to take time to reflect on your learning. It will also help you to consider what implications this may have for your own practice, patients and the practical competencies where you will need to demonstrate undertaking of genomic practice in your area of work.
Meet the team
- Claire Brooks – Principal Genetic Counsellor, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
- Kim Clarke – Registered Genetic Counsellor, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
- Dr. Emily Anderson – ST3 Registrar in Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
- Jessica Bussell – Registered Genetic Counsellor, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
External Technical Advisory Group
- Anita Holt – TEL Manager, University of Liverpool.
- Mark Pountney – Content Developer, University of Liverpool.
- Paul Abbott – Content Developer, University of Liverpool.
How to access
If you would like to access the Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine (Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust), University of Liverpool and North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. Select here: https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/673154
How to access
In order to access the Genomics Education Programme programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Genomics Education Programme programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
NHS healthcare staff in England
The Genomics Education Programme programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this elearning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Genomics Education Programme programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.