Louise Fullwood,<\/a>\u00a0a medical law expert at Pinsent Masons, says the venture needs close alignment from other aspects of the health service if it is to have any significant impact.<\/p>\n\u201cWith an ageing population it is very beneficial to the NHS to have a proactive, community-led service to use the potential of genomics to spot people\u2019s individual risk markers for chronic conditions,\u201d she said. \u201cThis will allow for tailored interventions, management and monitoring with the aim of avoiding or mitigating the risks of developing such conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the success of the programme will be dependent in part on the other elements of the process being available \u2013 for example, if an analysis indicates markers for breast cancer, but there is a long waiting list for diagnosis\/treatment then it is potentially increasing anxiety and associated harms to patients who are sitting with a knowledge of increased risk but a long wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, specially trained nursing staff will guide patients and their families through testing to identify inherited causes for conditions such as cancer, heart disease or genetic disorders – and will identify patients suitable for genomic testing.<\/p>\n
The chief scientific officer for England, Professor Dame Sue Hill, said in the announcement that it would build on the NHS\u2019 existing genomic work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will enable more people to access genomic testing, not only for risk prediction and prevention, but also to help tackle the unmet needs of patients with undiagnosed conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the scheme, nurses will offer support to accessing genomic counselling for those undergoing testing – and ensuring support and care is available will be essential for the service\u2019s success, says Fullwood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an area where this service has the potential to distinguish itself from some current private providers of genomic testing who provide only very limited counselling \u2013 which can also increase distress and confusion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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