Morning, Wednesday, 15th October 2025
Online
This conference focuses on next steps for genomics in the UK.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to examine the evolving role of genomics in the shift towards a more preventative and personalised health system, with the 10-Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan identifying it as a priority area. Areas for discussion include implications for research, care delivery, population health and system integration.
The agenda explores strategic priorities for embedding genomics in mainstream healthcare, including coordination across the four nations, and timelines for delivering complex services, with the Genome UK: shared commitments for UK-wide implementation 2022-2025 and subsequent implementation plans concluding this year.
System-wide adoption of genomic healthcare
Requirements for enabling a new genomic population health service will be considered, including how integrated care boards and neighbourhood providers can support data-informed commissioning and care provision. Attendees will assess proposals in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, including the role of the new Health Data Research Service and what will be needed to put in place digital, organisational and workforce capabilities required to integrate genomic tools and services across clinical pathways, support research and deliver patient benefit. Strategic considerations for addressing data interoperability and system coordination challenges will also be discussed.
Personalised medicine, whole genome sequencing and implementation
Delegates will consider practical steps toward equitable access to personalised medicine, including the rollout of genomic testing and targeted treatments, and discuss implementation challenges around whole genome sequencing for newborns.
In considering health inequalities and representation in genomics moving forward, delegates will look at priorities for investment in sequencing for people from diverse backgrounds and engagement with communities that have historically been under-represented in genomic research and services, including minoritised ethnic groups, underserved populations, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, to build trust and inclusion.
Building the genomics workforce and NHS readiness
Priorities for expanding the NHS genomics workforce will be discussed, looking at funding and delivery capacity, and tackling shortages of trained professionals, including strategies for supporting nurses to become genomics champions in local communities, and building system-wide readiness for artificial intelligence-supported clinical decision-making based on genomic insights. We also expect a focus on priorities for supporting healthcare professionals to communicate complex results, as well as next steps for standardising whole genome sequencing service delivery processes across the NHS in order to reduce variation and enhance efficiency.
Consent, privacy, and future regulatory and innovation frameworks
Further sessions focus on approaches to patient consent, privacy, and data use, including the management of actionable findings, secondary data uses, and trust in de-identified datasets. The agenda also explores evolving regulatory frameworks and evidence requirements for test evaluation and commissioning, as well as future options for supporting innovation through collaboration, infrastructure investment, and joined-up research and clinical activity.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department of Health and Social Care; Department of Health, NI; Department for Business and Trade; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities; Office for Life Sciences; Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
