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Genetic diagnosis, testing and counselling has occurred traditionally in a tertiary care setting within regional genetics centres (RGCs) comprising a MDT of clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, and nurses and clinical scientists.1 Historically, clinical genetics focused on disorders showing Mendelian inheritance and on the wider implications of genetic diagnoses for the individual patient and their extended family.1 While this will continue to be important, RGCs are now responding to the unprecedented changes in genetic technology and the inevitable impact of genomic medicine across the whole of healthcare.1 Specialist genomic services are now available through RGCs in partnership with Genomic Medicine Centres (GMCs), hubs responsible for the delivery of the 100 000 Genomes Project in England. Health services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also developing and implementing analogous genomics projects.1

Advances in technology promise to deliver the genomic data to inform healthcare on a mass scale and in a cost-effective manner. In the future, broad genomic testing in mainstream medicine settings, could enable more effective prediction of risk, management of disease and personalisation of treatment for both common and rare conditions. Developing this new technology with the required data handling, bioinformatics, interpretation, information, consent and clinical management of patients presents a significant challenge for the National Health Service (NHS). It is envisioned that genomic testing will increasingly be initiated outside the sphere of RGCs and will instead be integrated into a wide range of medical specialties. Realisation of the potential benefits will require a breadth of healthcare professionals to develop knowledge and proficiency in managing and communicating genomic information within their speciality.

Partnerships between RGCs and GMCs, and all other providers in healthcare will be critical in realising this vision of genomic medicine. Genetic healthcare professionals currently interpret and communicate complex genomic information while providing the support and counselling required for ‘whole person’ and ‘whole family’ care. As identified by the Human Genomics Strategy Group (2012), maintenance of this specialist workforce, both as a clinical service and as a resource to support integration of genomic technology and expertise within mainstream medicine, will be essential elements of the future genomics strategy.2 Historically, the delivery of genetics and genomics outside of specialist clinical genetics services has been variable.3 A combination of formal education programmes and continual reinforcement through clinical support will be required to deliver successful and sustainable training.1 Embedding the specialist expertise of the genetic counsellor in external MDTs is essential for achieving the enhanced, responsive education and training required for true integration of genomics in mainstream medicine.

The role of the genetic counsellor

Genetic counsellors are internationally established as healthcare professionals with specialist education, training and assessed competence in genetics and genomics, combined with counselling skills.4, 5 Genetic counsellors are essential members of MDTs, enabling the genetic information generated to be appropriately relayed, to provide information and support to individuals and families attempting to comprehend and adjust to a genetic condition.1 Genetic counsellors have distinct skills, qualifications, experience and expertise to support individuals and families with genetic conditions by:1

  • Applying genomic information to overall future healthcare for an individual and family.

  • Providing practical and psychosocial support for those with, and at risk from, genetic disease.

  • Navigating the ethical challenges surrounding the disclosure and sharing of genetic information.

  • Interpreting and explaining complex, incidental or uncertain genomic information.

  • Providing education for the wider healthcare workforce on the clinical application of genomics. See Figure 1 for details.

    Figure 1
    figure 1

    Genetic counsellor’s role in the implementation of genomics.

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The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of developing the profession and has established the gold standard for genetic counselling, which has been emulated across Europe and worldwide.5, 6 It is also highly valued by patients.7 In 2016, the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB); see Figure 2 became accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA); the PSA are an independent organisation, accountable to the UK Parliament, that offers voluntary registration for people working in health and social care.

Figure 2
figure 2

Gevernance structure for the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB) UK and ROI.

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Also in 2016, the first NHS Scientist Training Programme in genomic counselling began via the National School of Healthcare Science in England. Furthermore, it is anticipated that genetic counsellors will, for the first time, be included in UK national healthcare workforce planning with the aim of ensuring there are enough genetic counsellors being trained in the UK to meet the increasing demands of genomic healthcare.

Genetic counsellors in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland are embracing genomic technology and adapting their practise accordingly. They are a highly qualified and skilled workforce in a very strong position to make great contributions to the mainstreaming of genomics. The model of practice for genetic counsellors in the UK should be evaluated so that conclusions can be drawn about the relevance and reproducibility of this in mainland Europe and the rest of the world.