New providers of the Master’s in Genomic Medicine
After a recent tendering exercise, seven new university partners will work with HEE to deliver the Master’s programme around the country
Seven universities have been awarded contracts to deliver Health Education England’s Master’s programme in Genomic Medicine from autumn 2018 for a minimum of three years, following the first successful iteration of this funded programme that began in 2015.
Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, St George’s University of London (with Kings College London), University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter and University of Manchester (with the University of Liverpool) will form a network of higher education institutions delivering a co-ordinated programme of Master’s level education in genomic medicine.
Health Education England will fund the course fees for around 1,000 modules per year, and NHS staff can access this funding at a range of levels, from individual CPPD modules, to postgraduate certificate or diploma, up to a full Master’s qualification.
This blended learning programme has been developed for a multidisciplinary cohort of NHS professionals. It has been designed to support the transformation of the NHS as it implements the Genomic Medicine Service later this year, which takes forward the legacy of the 100,000 Genomes Project and the work of the NHS England Genomic Medicine Centres.
The curriculum was devised by HEE’s Genomics Education Programme (GEP) in collaboration with key academics and NHS professionals. GEP scientific director Anneke Seller said: “We are delighted to welcome our seven new provider partners who will continue to deliver our ground-breaking Master’s in Genomic Medicine programme for the coming three years. We look forward to working with all seven universities to ensure the course programme is a continued success.”
Health Education England regional director, and executive sponsor of the GEP, David Farrelly said: “Health Education England exists to support the delivery of excellent healthcare by ensuring that the workforce of today and tomorrow has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours. Genomics is a key part of that mandate, and this innovative multiprofessional Master’s programme will help to ensure that the NHS is equipped to harness the potential of genomics for the benefit of patients.”
The first iteration of the HEE Master’s programme in Genomic Medicine launched in 2015 with 10 partner universities. More than 1,000 NHS staff received funding across three years, with 457 undertaking the full Master’s degree, 41 completing the postgraduate diploma, 159 taking the postgraduate certificate, and 344 taking individual CPPD modules.
