A comprehensive range of education and training resources is currently available to healthcare professionals across the region.
Our Workforce Development and Health Education England Liaison Leads continue to engage, support and educate professionals to embed genomics within their clinical practice, as well as developing targeted education and training programmes.
We have project-specific education and training resources including Lynch Syndrome, Midwifery and Pharmacogenomics.
Links to Health Education England and their Genomic Education Programme (GEP) are available across this website, but listed below are some other useful education and training links.
Genetic counselling plays a vital role in supporting patients throughout their genomic journey. Receiving news about a genetic condition – whether a diagnosis, a predisposition, or an uncertain result – can be an emotional and complex experience.
Genetic counsellors are specially trained healthcare professionals who help patients and families understand the meaning of genomic information and what it might mean for their health and wellbeing.
We recognise that accessing genetic testing is not just about the science; it’s about the people behind every result.
Genetic counselling ensures that individuals are empowered with clear, tailored information so they can make informed decisions about their care. It provides emotional support during what can be an overwhelming time, helping patients to navigate options around treatment, risk management, family planning, and sharing information with relatives.
Importantly, genetic counselling is not a one-off conversation. It is a continuous, person-centred process that adapts to each patient’s needs at different stages of their journey. Whether facing an unexpected result, considering predictive testing, or needing guidance on next steps, the support offered is invaluable.
By embedding genetic counselling into every step of the patient journey, we can deliver truly personalised care that respects each individual’s values, hopes, and concerns.
NHSE's Genomics Education Programme have produced materials on their website here: https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/education/taught-courses/genomics-and-counselling-skills/
GatewayC
GatewayC is a free online cancer education platform developed for primary care professionals across England, aiming to improve cancer outcomes by facilitating earlier diagnosis and improving patient experience. The platform is fully funded by Health Education England and assists users in confidently identifying, referring, and supporting patients with symptoms of a suspected cancer pathway.
The Alliance can provide and signpost you to a wide range of continued professional development, education, and training resources available, including those produced by our partners across the North West including the national NHS England's Genomic Education Programme who have a wealth of education and training materials, to inform healthcare professionals about the impact of genomics on clinical practice. Please visit: genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk
RCGP Genomics Toolkit
The RCGP Genomics Toolkit has been developed in partnership with Health Education England's Genomics Education Programme to support increasing understanding, raise awareness of Genomics Medicine and support primary care with increased knowledge of how genomics can contribute to improving patient care in a 'genomics era'.
Courses on Lipid disorders and cardiovascular risk.
Courses - Heart UK Website
Learn the principles and language of genomic variant interpretation and enhance your working knowledge of the ACMG guidelines.
Interpreting Genomic Variation: Fundamental Principles - Future Learn Website
Explore how robust variant interpretation is needed to support patients with increased risk of cancer.
Interpreting Genomic Variation: Inherited Cancer Susceptibility - Future Learn Website
The NWGLH has collated a collection of educational resources, including Foundation and Intermediate level
There is an additional resource being developed by Health Education England called GeNotes. Support in relation to using the National Test Directory (NTD) and how to order a test will also be available soon.
https://mft.nhs.uk/nwglh/nwglh-education-and-training-resources/
Genomics England have developed additional resources to support healthcare professionals in having discussions about the NGRL. This includes a 1-minute video that provides an overview of what it means to take part in the NGRL.
The video is aimed at patients & family members in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, who are being the opportunity to contribute to the NGRL because of their rare disease or cancer. It may also be useful for clinicians who are responsible for offering the NGRL to patients or used for education & training purposes. Clinicians may show this video to their patients as part of a clinic appointment, or send a link before or after an appointment. It should be used alongside other resources about the NGRL, which can be found at https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/clinicians/resources, including:
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- A detailed patient information sheet about the NGRL
- A simpler one-page information sheet about the NGRL that links to the GEL website
- A guidance document for developing any local information about the NGRL
Genomics England and NGRL would like to understand how this video is being used, so are asking healthcare professionals to complete this feedback form to help improve this resource and consider any additional resources that could support decision-making about the NGRL.
Medics for rare disease is a registered charity that provides education and training resources for medical students and doctors, in relation to rare disease diagnostics.
The organisation began as Barts and The London Society for Rare Diseases in 2011 and became a national project in 2013, as Students4RareDiseases with the help of The LSD Collaborative who was aawarded the Sanofi Genzyme PAL Award.
For more information, visit: https://www.m4rd.org/
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), with support from the Association of Cancer Physicians (ACP), has developed a e-learning resource on the Fundamentals of Cancer Genomics, targeted at clinical and medical oncologists as well as healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with cancer.
https://www.rcr.ac.uk/cpd-and-events/rcr-learning-hub/the-fundamentals-of-cancer-genomics/