Published: 22/12/2025

In partnership with Genomics Partnership Wales (GPW), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is calling on health and care professionals working across all areas of clinical practice to help shape a new Genomics Capability Framework for NHS Wales.

Genomics, the study of a person’s genome, is increasingly central to patient care pathways in areas such as women’s health, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, rare conditions, stroke, mental health and more. The rapidly advancing discipline is already transforming disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for patients.

The Genomics Capability Framework will support the expansion of genomic knowledge and skills across the entire NHS Wales workforce. To ensure that the final product is practical, relevant and fit for purpose, HEIW is asking health and care professionals to complete a short form to share their insights, recommendations and views on its proposed design and usability.

Individuals do not need to be genomics specialist to share their views. The Framework is being designed to support everyone who works for NHS Wales, from nurses and allied health professionals to healthcare scientists, pharmacists, doctors, managers and support staff. Its core aim will be to build confidence in applying genomic information to support and deliver more personalised patient care.

The framework will:

• clearly define the genomic capabilities needed across different roles and settings, from community care and mental health to acute and diagnostic services
• provide a digital self-assessment tool to help health and care professionals identify strengths and tailored learning needs
• signpost high quality education and training opportunities, including Wales specific resources, to support safe and effective use of genomics in clinical practice.

By completing the engagement form, health and care professionals will help ensure the Framework is fit for purpose and beneficial in real world clinical practice. All feedback will also support consistent, equitable adoption of genomics across NHS Wales.

Development of the framework is a key action within the Genomic Delivery Plan for Wales and aligns with HEIW’s Strategic Workforce Plan for Genomics, which aims to build genomic literacy across the workforce and prepare for the growing role of advanced therapies and precision medicine across NHS Wales.

The engagement form takes 5 minutes to complete and can be accessed here: Digital Genomic Capability Framework: Survey