The Genomics Conversation

Join the GEP for a national week of action to get healthcare professionals talking about genomics

An illustrated image of 10 people walking along paths and looking at different features along the way

Our #GenomicsConversation week takes place annually and features a host of fun, engaging activities for healthcare professionals. The goal for the week is to spark a conversation about genomics and increase familiarity with the topic across the NHS workforce. You can find out more about our previous campaigns below.

With the NHS Genomic Medicine Service bringing equity of access to genomic testing for the first time, it has never been more important for healthcare professionals to be able to talking confidently about genomics and signpost patients to relevant information and services.

The week features a number of free activities and resources, including events, podcasts, online courses and educational resources, as well as our popular genomics quiz.

Don’t forget to follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook so you can hear the latest news about the week and make your voice heard in the #GenomicsConversation.

What is the Genomics Conversation?

The genomics conversation is an annual week of activity to raise awareness of genomics among health professionals.

Learn
The week features a number of free activities designed to raise awareness of genomics and its impact on patient care.
Share
Participants can spread the word on social media and in person with colleagues and friends.
Connect
Come together with peers and genomics experts in our online chats and panel events.

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

2024: How far we’ve come, how far we’ll go

During 24–28 June 2024, the annual #GenomicsConversation campaign will return for its seventh year, this time with a focus on genomics journeys.

The awareness-raising week will feature stories and activities that reflect the genomics journeys of NHS professionals and patients, and well as looking at the impact this has had on clinical care – and the direction of travel in the future.

Each day of the week will focus on one of five key themes and a full calendar of activities will be available in advance, so you won’t miss out.

Day 1: ‘Are we there yet?’ Genomics in the NHS
Day 2: Pioneers and explorers: Navigating genomics
Day 3: Ticket to ride: Patient experiences
Day 4: Uncharted journeys: What lies ahead?
Day 5: To boldly go: Chart your own genomics journey

During the campaign, healthcare professionals are encouraged to check in daily, embrace the journey and learn about different areas over the course of the week. Follow us on social media to keep up to date on plans for the week.

Want to get involved? Visit our dedicated webpage which includes ideas for content, example messages and more! Alternatively, please get in touch with us via email.

2023: ‘Hidden genomics’

On Monday 26 June, the GEP launched its sixth and widest reaching #GenomicsConversation campaign with a focus on ‘hidden genomics’.

The week featured activities, stories and resources designed to reveal to all healthcare professionals where and how genomics is already being used for the benefit of patients across the healthcare system. We also uncovered the unexpected places where both patients and health professionals might find genomics.

Each day of the campaign was dedicated to one of five themes, with activities tailored to reflect each theme. You can view all the themes and activities through our interactive online calendar.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our partners in the genomics community and beyond and everyone who joined and supported the week. As always we’d love to hear your feedback, so please get in touch with the GEP team with ideas for future themes or activities to help us continue the conversation in 2024!

Illustrated health professionals searching for something.

350+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

2370+

Facebook Connections

100,000+

Twitter Impressions

1500+

Web page views

1100+

LinkedIn connections

730,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

2022: ‘Let’s talk genomics’

On Monday 20 June, the GEP launched its fifth and biggest #GenomicsConversation week to date.

Open to all healthcare professionals, the focus for 2022 was to help everyone in the workforce to feel confident when talking about genomics with both colleagues and patients.

Each day of the week was dedicated to one of five key themes with a tailored calendar of activities created to reflect each theme. If you missed any of the action during the week, our fully interactive online calendar is available to view.

We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, however we need your feedback to help us make the #GenomicsConversation 2023, the week everyone is looking forward to. If you have any ideas for activities in your workplace or region, or would like to get involved in the next campaign, please get in touch with the GEP team.

330+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

2270+

Facebook Connections

78,400+

Twitter Impressions

1000+

Web page views

600+

LinkedIn connections

1,400,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

2021: Genomics?! You said, we did……

On Monday 28 June, the GEP launched its fourth and biggest #GenomicsConversation week of action.

The focus this year was on the nursing, midwifery and health visiting communities, with the week providing a perfect opportunity for the programme to respond and act on feedback provided by our 2020 genomics awareness survey.

Each day of the week was dedicated to one of five key themes with a tailored calendar of activities created to reflect each theme. If you missed it – don’t worry! A fully interactive calendar of activities is available to download.

We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, however, we need your feedback to help us make the next campaign is our best yet. We look forward to bringing you an even bigger #GenomicsConversation in 2022!

A group of different health professionals all asking different questions about genomics and their role.

260+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

2200+

Facebook Connections

180,000+

Twitter Impressions

800+

Web page views

1,400,000+

#GenomicsConversation Impressions

900,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

2020: Dispelling the myths surrounding genomics

Due to the challenging and rapidly evolving circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak, the GEP took the decision to launch a scaled back third #GenomicsConversation week on Monday 16 March.

The aim of the week was to draw attention to genomics in nursing and to bust the myths, challenge the misconceptions and explain the facts about genomics. Throughout the week we continued to share relevant content using the campaign hashtag.

The scaled back campaign featured:

Genetics Unzipped podcast: a special edition podcast looking at and addressing the myths and misconceptions in genomics.
RCNi Podcast: a second special co-produced podcast featuring Angela Cazeaux, Vicky Cuthill and Professor Mark Radford who discuss how nursing can harness the power of genomics.
A new film featuring Professor Mark Radford, talking about genomics and the nurse role, and why it is important nurses learn more.
Five Myth-busting infographics.
Three new patient films featuring different patient stories, where genomics has played a part in their diagnosis or treatment.

260+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

2100+

Facebook connections

47,000+

Twitter impressions

800+

Web page views

1,000,000+

#GenomicsConversation impressions

300,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

2019: Talking genomics with patients

On Monday 4^th March the GEP launched its second week of action to broaden the genomics conversation to all healthcare professionals.

As before, the overall theme was to raise awareness of genomics in the NHS and increase familiarity with genomics terminology so health professionals feel more comfortable discussing genomic testing with their patients. This time, we placed particular focus on the voice and experiences of patients.

Here are some of the activities that took place during our second #GenomicsConversation week:

Genetics Unzipped podcast: a special edition podcast looking at how genomics is changing healthcare, with a focus on developments in the cancer pathway and the impact for patient outcomes.
Talking Genomics with Patients event – a panel of patients shared their experiences of preparing for the highs, and lows, of genomic testing with health professionals.
Genomics 101 launch – a new series of introductory courses was launched with the aim of giving health professionals an overview of the fundamentals of genomics and its impact on patient care.

800+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

1,900+

Facebook connections

402,000+

Twitter impressions

950+

Web page views

2,600,000+

#GenomicsConversation Impressions

640,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

2018: Getting the conversation started

Monday 5th March 2018 kick-started our first #GenomicsConversation, with a particular focus on nursing and midwifery. The aim of the week was to encourage nurses and midwives to participate and learn, and to start a bigger conversation about genomics in healthcare with their colleagues, patients or friends.

The week featured:

Genomics Conversation podcasts: four new podcasts were launched on SoundCloud, featuring a range of topics and experts.
Nursing in the Genomics Era: we developed a short film illustrating the role nurses play in the delivery of genomic medicine and how they are already contributing to incredible advances in treatment and care.
Twitter chat: this lively hour, hosted in partnership with @WeNurses, focused on nursing and ethics in the genomic era.
Awareness-raising events: #GenomicsConversation events were held in hospitals in Lincoln, York and Nottingham.

600+

#GenomicsConversation mentions

1,400+

Facebook connections

289,000+

Tweet impressions

650+

Web page views

4,000,000+

#GenomicsConversation impressions

1,000,000+

#GenomicsConversation reach

Join the GEP for a national week of action to get healthcare professionals talking about genomics

What is the Genomics Conversation?

Learn

Share

Connect

2024: How far we’ve come, how far we’ll go

2023: ‘Hidden genomics’

2022: ‘Let’s talk genomics’

2021: Genomics?! You said, we did……

2020: Dispelling the myths surrounding genomics

2019: Talking genomics with patients

2018: Getting the conversation started

Quick LInks

Connect With Us

The Genomics Conversation

Join the GEP for a national week of action to get healthcare professionals talking about genomics

What is the Genomics Conversation?

2024: How far we’ve come, how far we’ll go

2023: ‘Hidden genomics’

2022: ‘Let’s talk genomics’

2021: Genomics?! You said, we did……

2020: Dispelling the myths surrounding genomics

2019: Talking genomics with patients

2018: Getting the conversation started

Quick LInks

Connect With Us

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