Genomics Conversation Week: Creating connections with the genomics community

Day 4 – Creating connections with colleagues

Part of #GenomicsConversation Week: 3 to 7 November

Today’s focus is on creating connections with the genomics community.

You’re not alone – there are plenty of networks and communities regionally and nationally to help you learn more about genomic medicine and research and how to apply it in practice.

National genomics communities

Regional Clinical Genetics Services deliver speciality clinics and form part of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) across a range of cancers and rare and inherited diseases. Many Clinical Genetics Services list the clinics they run, and include details on their Trust website (an example being Nottingham University Hospitals). You can contact your regional Clinical Genetics service to find out more about the clinics and MDTs they run, and how to refer patients and bring cases for advice and support. You can find your regional Clinical Genetics Service here.

The Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) hosts monthly Lunch and Learn sessions on a range of genomics topics. Previous sessions have focused on family history taking, genomics red flags in pregnancy and newborn screening. You can find more information on future sessions, including registrations and recordings of previous sessions, here.

The Genomic Research Forum for Nurses & Midwives is a new national forum for nurses or midwives carrying out or interested in genomic or genetic research. The sessions will be hosted collaboratively by Tootie Bueser, Director of Nursing & Midwifery at the NHS South East Genomic Medicine Service and Suriya Kirkpatrick, National Institute of Health & Care Research Senior Research Leader. To find out more contact Tootie Bueser: tootie.bueser@nhs.net. Or register for the first session here.

Genomics England host Research Network Communities to help research-active staff to collaborate with fellow researchers, share skills and expertise, and learn about the latest developments and opportunities in the community. You can find out more here.

Medics for Rare Diseases have an Ambassadors programme to work with the wider rare disease community to inform projects, identify teaching opportunities and spread the word about events and opportunities for medics.

The British Society for Genetic Medicine (BSGM) provides a forum for professionals involved in genetics and genomics as a clinical service and research. As an umbrella organisation, their membership includes a wide spectrum of clinical, laboratory and research disciplines, not only in specialist genetic services but throughout the health professions. Find out more about the benefits of joining here.

Genomics communities in the South East

Nursing & Midwifery Ambassador Network. If you are a nurse or midwife working in the Southeast with an interest in genomic medicine, join our Ambassador Network. Find out more here: Genomic Ambassador Network.
Professional Network for Pharmacy professionals. If you are a pharmacy professional in the Southeast, join our network of over 120 members from every provider Trust and ICB across the Southeast to keep up to date with pharmacogenomics news and developments. Contact Lucy Galloway to find out more: Lucy.Galloway@stgeorges.nhs.uk
Genomic Medicine Health Inequalities Network. A professional network to bring together research and work to tackle health inequalities in genomic medicine. Contact Dr Shwetha Ramachandrappa to learn more: shwetha.ramachandrappa@nhs.net
Renal Genomics Community of Practice. If you are a healthcare professional working in Renal Medicine and interested in finding out more, follow the link: Renal Community of Practice.