Genetics/Genomics in Nursing and Midwifery report published
A task and finish group, comprising ten senior nurses and midwives was set up to consider the future of genetics and genomics in relation to nursing and midwifery.
The purpose of this group was to identify key issues and potential solutions in relation to nursing and midwifery and to provide a report to the Nursing and Midwifery Professional Advisory Board.
The group’s Genetics/Genomics in Nursing and Midwifery report is available to read about the findings and recommendations that have been put forward to the Nursing and Midwifery Professional Advisory Board.
Nurses and midwives represent the largest sector of the NHS professional workforce and are best placed to optimise the potential contributions of genomics for improving health.
The group believes that all nurses and midwives at all levels of practice must be competent to deliver genomic healthcare and that professionals leaders should be informing and shaping developments to incorporate genomic healthcare.
Scientific advances in genomics are bringing unprecedented opportunities for a greater understanding of disease mechanisms that range from rare to common. They are also leading to more accurate diagnosis of disease, developments in diagnosis of genetic subtypes of common diseases and in the development of new therapies and more targeted therapies. The advances are rapid and have relevance across healthcare services, not just to specialist genetics services.