Genetics

Published: 17 June 2012

Article for RCN Gastrointestinal Forum Newsletter
by Michelle Madeley, Publications Specialist and Events Manager
NHS National Genetics Education and Development Centre

Genetics and your role; resources to support your development
Over the last seven years the NHS National Genetics Education and Development Centre has been the leading facilitator of genetic and genomic education for the NHS workforce.  To help support staff in their teaching and learning we have developed a variety of resources ranging from factsheets on specific areas e.g. breast and bowel cancer, obesity, diabetes etc to worksheets to help you practice drawing a family tree.  All of these resources and more are available from our website www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk which has been separated into areas for teaching, learning and healthcare professionals in practice. 

Within the ‘Learning Genetics’ section you will find information and guidance about:

·         Understanding genetics and inheritance patterns

·         Genetic testing and screening

·         Genetic conditions and glossary

The ‘Teaching Genetics’ section is divided into areas to support:

·         Medical practitioners

·         Nurses

·         Pharmacogenetics

·         Dietitians

‘Genetics in Practice’ contains information on workforce competences, to help support the application of genetics in the patient pathway, and guidance on developing new services involving genetics.

Individual resources that may be of interest to nurses involved in bowel cancer screening are the ‘Taking and drawing a family history’ series, which includes a factsheet dedicated to bowel cancer and the ‘Practising drawing a genetic family history’ series.  In the practising series, worksheet 10 has a bowel cancer scenario with which you can practice your pedigree drawing skills.

Finally, later this year we will be launching a new and improved website.  The new format will make our content easier to find, use and share.  Key features will include:

·         Improved navigation – a new search function

·         Genetics in the news – summaries of genetics in the popular press

·         Expanded learning and teaching sections

·         A new clinical practice section

·         Links to our new virtual learning environment ‘My genetics learning’

We look forward to welcoming you to our new website and if you ever need any help please email us at enquiries@geneticseducation.nhs.uk.