Genomics for all – the emerging opportunities for nurses

With a new genomics framework for nurses published last week, Tootie Bueser from South East Genomic Medicine Service, shares thoughts on the importance of this evolving area of healthcare and its relevance to everyone in the profession.

Genomic medicine has been growing in importance and relevance for nurses, midwives and their patients in recent years, but it’s about to get even bigger.

Many nurses and midwives have already embraced genomics; but with 50% of every healthcare interactions predicted to involve genomics by 2035, it’s now relevant to all of us.

Genomics is already part of the NMC Standards of Proficiency, and nurses and midwives possess applicable skills to the delivery of genomics-informed care.

However, there is a growing need for nurses and midwives to upskill their foundation genomics knowledge in line with their role and practice area.

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Genomics is mentioned over 100 times in the new 10 Year Health Plan. Last week, the Government started to outline its vision for nurses to lead testing and research as part of a new genomic population health service.

While the detail of those plans has yet to be finalised, it’s clear that genomic medicine is only going to get bigger and will open up new opportunities for nurses and midwives across the country.

In the South East of England, nurses and midwives are being encouraged to join a Professional Network where they can be the first to hear about new developments and get access to free training and education as well as connecting with fellow nurses who are keen to embrace the genomic revolution.

There is so much support for nurses to get involved in genomics, with a wealth of education available to help us gain the necessary skills and knowledge.

The new vision for nurses is part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS and will see nurses becoming genomic champions. Many nurses are already acting as champions identifying patients who would benefit from genomic testing, supporting them through counselling and helping them to interpret their results. By learning from them, and their successes, we can open up new opportunities for many more nurses.

Cancer nurse specialists are leaders in supporting patients access to genomic healthcare and testing, enabling faster more accurate diagnosis and allowing the most appropriate treatments to be offered. This supports improved outcomes for patients as well as avoidance of side effects. Identifying inheritable causes of diseases like cancer can also allow patients and family members access preventative interventions, which is key to the vision of the 10 Year health plan.

Cancer CNS, Vickie Gadd runs a clinic at Maidstone Hospital supporting people who have had endometrial cancer and are therefore eligible to be screened for Lynch Syndrome, a common genetic condition that can increase the chance of developing cancer by 80%.

Similarly, Suzannah Fitzgerald runs a Family History service for people with breast cancer at Kent & Canterbury Hospital.

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Both Vickie and Suzannah have been instrumental in raising awareness about genomics amongst fellow cancer nurses.

While genomic nursing care is already common in specialties like cancer and cardiology, new opportunities are emerging.

The new Genomics Framework for Nurses was published last week explores further examples of how nurses and midwives are already delivering a central role in services such as:

• Precision medicine in cancer care
• Pharmacogenomics to prevent chemotherapy toxicity
• Monogenic diabetes diagnosis
• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
• Point-of-care testing to prevent hearing loss in neonates
• Rapid fetal sequencing for congenital anomalies.

The framework articulates the pivotal role nurses and midwives have in enabling society to unlock the potential of genomic healthcare. The framework outlines the strategy for integrating genomic knowledge and confidence into the workforce to empower nurses and midwives to provide safe and effective genomic practice.

This is an exciting time for nurses and midwives. Genomics is no longer a specialist area; anyone can get involved and unlock it’s potential for both you and your patients.

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Every month, the Genomic Medicine Service offers a free education webinar to help nurses and midwives to learn more about genomics. Watch previous versions here, and sign up to the upcoming sessions here.

Tootie Bueser is director of nursing & midwifery at the South East Genomic Medicine Service