HEIW launch Strategic Workforce Plan for Genomics during Genomics Literacy Week.

In response to the Genomic Delivery Plan for Wales, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and Genomics Partnership Wales (GPW) are delighted to launch the strategic workforce plan for Genomics at an event in Swansea City Stadium on 15 November 2024.

Genomics will play a significant role in the future delivery of healthcare helping us to understand more about illness and disease, and to be able to develop targeted approaches to treatment and patient management.

A key driver for the development of the plan is to ensure that we have a robust specialist workforce and infrastructure able to respond to the requirements set out within the national (UK) and Wales delivery programmes as well as a wider workforce with sufficient ‘genomic literacy’ to ensure that genomics can be effectively mainstreamed into service delivery. 

During Genomics Literacy Week (11 – 15 November), HEIW has also hosted a live pharmacogenomics webinar, promoted our genomics eLearning modules which can be accessed via  Y Ty Dysgu,  and our funded 20-credit MSc modules for NHS Wales staff through Cardiff and Bangor Universities, covering critical areas such as inherited diseases, cancer diagnostics, bioinformatics, and pharmacogenomics.

These steps are crucial for meeting the goals of both the Wales and UK genomic delivery plans, establishing NHS Wales as a leader in genomic-informed healthcare.

For more details or to apply, visit Cardiff University, Bangor University, or the HEIW Genomics webpage.

What is genomics?

Genomics is the study of the genome – the DNA that contains the instructions for how our bodies grow, develop and function. A gene is a short section of DNA which tells the body how to make a protein that our body needs.

Differences in our genome can cause genetic conditions, or affect our chances of developing diseases. They change the way that we respond to medication and influence all aspects of our health. In infectious disease, differences in the genome will affect how easily an organism can spread and whether it will be affected by antibiotics and other agents.

“But I don’t work in genomics?” That doesn’t matter. 

Rapid advances in the study of the human genome provide huge opportunities to healthcare, no matter your area of clinical practice. This significant benefit to patients cannot be realised in NHS Wales without up-skilling everyone who makes up our healthcare workforce to enable increased integration of genomics into patient pathways.

For more information about our work in this area, visit our Genomics webpage.