Morning, Thursday, 23rd May 2024
This conference will examine key issues for genomics in the UK following the recent announcement of the NHS Genomics Networks of Excellence, which aim to develop innovative approaches to key NHS challenges.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to assess the progress and next steps for the Genome UK: 2022 to 2025 implementation plan for England and the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.
Delegates will discuss priorities for supporting innovation in genomic medicine and advancing research. There will be a session on opportunities for AI in genomic science and improving patient outcomes.
Discussion will examine opportunities for implementation of genomic technologies across healthcare delivery in the NHS and more widely, including personalised medicine and predictive diagnostics.
Delegates will assess progress in adopting and embedding genomic science in the NHS so far, with discussion on the way forward for medicine optimisation and pharmacogenomics, and building patient pathways and models of care to enable improved patient accessibility to innovative diagnostics and treatments. They will also consider issues around data, including security and growing diversity in the UK Biobank, patient records and digital maturity in the health system.
The agenda looks at enablers for achieving the application of innovative approaches routinely in the NHS, and the way forward for putting them in place. Areas for discussion include advancing collaboration and investment, ensuring security, and the necessary regulation frameworks.
Further sessions will assess priorities for supporting the workforce with developments surrounding genomics and its application in the NHS, including next steps for education and training, and building capacity and involvement with research.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Harry Farmer, Senior Researcher, Ada Lovelace Institute; Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England and Senior Responsible Officer for Genomics, NHS England; Dr Rich Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Genomics England; and Dr Kate Tatton-Brown, Consultant in Clinical Genetics, St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- NHS Genomics Networks of Excellence: collaboration between the NHS, academics, genomics labs and third sector - innovative approaches to challenges - utilising funding and cutting-edge technologies
- genome sequencing: the future outlook of whole genome sequencing for detection and diagnostics to improve healthcare outcomes - options for predictive healthcare models - next steps for advancing research
- data: supporting R&I within UK biobanks and the secure handling of health data - data and cybersecurity - accessibility to data and collaboration - approaches to clinical trials - regulation
- pharmacogenomics: tackling adverse drug reactions - medicines optimisation - developing personalised therapies - workforce education and training
- patient accessibility: priorities for improving data diversity in the UK Biobank - reducing health inequalities - supporting patient understanding and awareness of genomics in healthcare - clinician engagement
- workforce: supporting the role of the workforce in implementation of genomics medicine across health services - next steps for education and training
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DHSC; DSIT; MHRA; OLS; UKHSA; DoH, ROI; DBT; and the Department for the Economy, NI.
