Nurses make up the largest group of healthcare professionals in the NHS, but many are yet to learn about genomics and incorporate it into their practice. At the end of 2023, a Genomic Competency Framework for UK Nurses was published to guide nursing development in this field.
Kay Cawthron, NEY GMS Lead Nurse
Genomics in Nursing… why is it important and why get involved?
We’ve asked Kay Cawthron, NEY GMS Lead Nurse, to answer some fundamental questions, touching on her own experience, to help clarify why genomics is so important for the nursing profession.
Why does genomics matter for nurses?
No other healthcare profession has more direct contact with patients and their families than nurses. Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the use of genomics and its application in day-to-day patient care. A basic knowledge of genomics is essential for supporting clinical practice, patients, families and potential interventions required by the patient throughout their healthcare journey.
As someone who came into genomics later in their career – what would your advice be to a fellow nurse who has little or no knowledge of genomics now?
I’d tell them to fully embrace the opportunity! Genomic medicine is the future of healthcare but in many specialties, it’s already here. With appropriate training in this cutting-edge area of practice, we are well placed to embrace our autonomy and clinical judgement to harness the benefits of genomics to achieve better patient outcomes. We are uniquely placed to learn more about a patient’s family history and identify opportunities to include genomics into all aspects of care, including screening, diagnostics and treatment pathways.
Why is genomics important and why should nurses get involved?
With the right level of knowledge and skills and the support of their local trusts and colleagues, nurses can offer genomic testing with confidence, helping to embed genomics into routine care. Clinical nurse specialists are already playing leading roles using genomics in many specialties – cardiology, urology, neurology, endocrinology, oncology (to name but a few) – providing faster diagnoses of inherited conditions, rare diseases and cancer, personalised treatment, and a better understanding of the underlying causes of many diseases.
Can you give us an example of where nurses are leading in this field?
Yes. A great example is the PALOH study – where nurses are providing point of care genomic testing to neonates to prevent them becoming deaf from administering Gentamicin. Read more here.
Where would you suggest nurses begin their learning journey?
Firstly, I’d suggest looking to see what’s happening locally and what opportunities there are for learning and development in genomics in your place of work. Perhaps you’ll have genomic champions in your local trust that you can contact to learn more. I would then signpost them to NHS England Genomics Education website where there is a full range of educational resources and courses as a starting point. Good introductions are Bitesize Learning and Genomics 101: Genomics in Healthcare. Also, check out the ABC of Genomics in the Learning and Development section at the end of this newsletter – to access a short series of 30-minute education sessions including Q&As.
To listen to recent interviews with our nurses talking about their personal journeys into genomics and the work they are supporting in this exciting field, go to our podcast page The Road to Genome.
Lynch Syndrome: CNS Education Day and Community of Practice – a huge success!
A successful Lynch Syndrome CNS Education Day was held on 4thJuly. Hosted by the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance, the event saw over 60 colleagues from the NEY region come together in Leeds to share learning about supporting patients with this under-diagnosed condition.
The day was presented by Karen Westaway (Lynch Syndrome Project Manager at the Cancer Alliance), along with Emma O’Malley (Genetic Counsellor from Leeds Clinical Genomics Service) and Siobhan John (Lynch Syndrome Clinical Pathway Nurse Facilitator, South West Genomic Medicine Service).
Educational content was aligned with a Lynch genomic testing nursing competency framework, newly developed by the South West GMS. Testing and referral pathways, genomic conversations, screening, surveillance, risk reduction and patient signposting were some of the many topics discussed.
Fantastic feedback was received following the event and the day provided many opportunities to interact and network. The highlight for many was the first face-to-face CNS Community of Practice meeting with special guest Anita Exley, a patient from the Wakefield area. Anita spoke candidly about her lived experience of having Lynch syndrome, and the impact on her family. Patient stories really drive home the importance of early diagnosis and the acceleration of genomic medicine in the NHS.
To find out more about the Lynch education event or the September Community of Practice meeting, please contact Karen Westaway ([email protected]).
NURSING LIVE… join us for a genomics conversation!
Nurses from the NEY GMS are joining colleagues from across the country on 23-24 October to attend RCNi NURSING LIVE 2024 in Liverpool. This annual event brings thousands of nurses together to enjoy two days of high-quality professional development and peer-to-peer collaboration.
To raise the profile of genomics in nursing, Tootie Bueser, Director for Nursing & Midwifery Director, SE GMS, is speaking at a seminar on 24 October: ‘Getting personalised medicine right for better outcomes: the impact of genomics on your role.’
In addition, several GMS teams have collectively secured two exhibition spaces to take advantage of the captive audience and initiate lots of genomic conversations throughout the Conference. Please come and visit the NEY team @ Stand 208.
For more information and registration details visit Nursing Live | RCNi