The School of Health & Medical Sciences (SHMS) at City St George’s has been awarded a contract by NHS England to create an innovative education development package called the Genomics Pedagogy Scheme (GPedS).
Published
Led by Dr Saranne Weller (pictured right), Reader in Higher Education Practice and Development and Dr Kate Everett (pictured below), Reader in Human Genetics and Associate Dean Postgraduate Taught Studies and CPD, the package will upskill genomics workforce educators with the aim of supporting the embedding of genomics advances in frontline healthcare.
NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme, launched in 2014, delivers and advises on learning and development opportunities that prepare current and future NHS staff to make the best use of genomics in their practice. After a competitive tender process, they awarded SHMS £680K for the 40-month project which will be delivered by the Department of Interprofessional Healthcare and the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences within the School. Upskilling both the specialist and wider frontline workforce in genomic medicine is a critical priority and the success of the project will support the government’s ambition for future preventative and precision medical treatment as outlined in the 10-year plan for the NHS.
Speaking about the project, Dr Kate Everett said:
"Being awarded the contract for the Genomics Pedagogy Scheme reflects the excellence within SHMS in genomics education, genomics research and pedagogical theory and practice. As Associate Dean Postgraduate Taught Studies and CPD, I am delighted that this excellence has been recognised in this competitive national award.
We will also be supporting a member of the NHS workforce to complete a fully-funded PhD fellowship in the field of genomics workforce transformation. As a geneticist myself, I am personally incredibly excited by this opportunity and look forward to supporting the team and hopefully contributing myself towards the ongoing work."
The scheme will develop:
- a new online and blended educator programme: Postgraduate Certificate in Health Professions Education from autumn 2027
- a community of practice for building the network of genomic medicine educators and supporting the development of scholarship and the evidence-base for workplace genomic medicine education
- a fully funded PhD studentship in genomic medicine education and workforce development from autumn 2026
- a bespoke package of continuing professional development resources and webinars for genomics educators in the genomic medicine service.
Professor Kate Tatton-Brown, Clinical Director and head of National Genomics Education, NHS England said of the initiative:
"NHS England's Genomics Education Programme are delighted to be collaborating with City St George's on this innovative scheme to upskill the genomics workforce educators.
“Genomics workforce educators play a vital role in enabling effective integration of genomics across the healthcare specialties and professions. City St George's has a strong track record in delivering genomics education and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with them to support and develop this critical workforce group."
Learn more about Genomics education at the School of Health & Medical Sciences.