Our Voices, Our Stories: supporting patients through genomic testing

Join us for this exciting webinar where we'll be launching a suite of materials, co-created with patient experts and healthcare professionals, to help those navigating the genomic testing process. We'll hear from patient experts on their experiences of the system, and how they helped shape these materials with their experiences in mind.

The materials are for both patients and families as well as healthcare professionals, with separate guidance and information for each group. For patients, our materials are focused around preparing for testing, questions you may want to ask, how to gain more information, helpful resources and support, and the process as a whole. For healthcare professionals, the materials focus on what to say and do, behaviours to avoid, testing types and target turnaround times, and how to learn more about genomics to support your patients.

Over the past few years, we have run several webinars with patients and families who have experienced genomic testing first hand, each of whom has a unique and impactful story, providing powerful insights into the human side of the genomic testing process.

These events explored the lived experiences of people who have gone through genomic testing, research and diagnosis, as well as offering attendees the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the importance of patient and public involvement in genomic testing and research. Through this process, we heard from healthcare professionals who told us they wanted resources to help them better support patients - so we set about creating them, with patient expertise built-in from the start.

The webinar will be co-chaired by two clinical experts in genomics - Dr Hannah Titheradge, Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital (BWC), and Bethany Hughes, Genetic Counsellor at BWC. Alongside a panel of patient experts who will share their experiences and input, they'll introduce the materials, explaining how to use them and outlining the process.

This session is open to everyone, whether you're a patient, healthcare professional, or an interested member of the public. If you've got lived experience yourself or any questions, you are welcome to share during the Q&A. For healthcare professionals, the session promises to provide you with a better understanding of the crucial patient perspective to better support those in your clinic.

If you've got any accessibility requirements, please let us know during the registration process, and you can get in touch with any questions. And if you're interested but aren't able to attend on the date itself, make sure to still register and we will send you the recording and materials after the event has taken place!