School thanks contributors to new Cancer Genomics programme

The National School of Healthcare Science extends its thanks to everyone who reviewed and contributed feedback to the curriculum for the new STP Cancer Genomics programme. This new speciality has been developed as an addition to the School’s set of genomic sciences specialties which include genomics and genomic counselling. Input from experts in the field and the NHS workforce is an essential part of developing the School’s curricula as it ensures content is robust and relevant.

The new Cancer Genomics specialty is focused on the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services for patients with a possible or confirmed diagnosis of cancer. Whilst clinical scientists working in this field are largely laboratory-based and rarely have direct contact with patients, they interact regularly with other healthcare professionals such as pathologists, histopathologists, clinical geneticists and haematologists.

Through its focus on a range of exemplar conditions, the new STP curriculum will enable trainees to develop the required clinical knowledge base as well as a suite of transferrable skills that will allow them to expand their practice following the training period. Once they have completed the STP, graduating clinical scientists will have met all the requirements for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and will follow the standards of Good Scientific Practice. They will be strong advocates for their rapidly-developing profession, and for healthcare science at large, within their area and at a national level.

The curriculum is currently awaiting approval from the HCPC; the first intake of Clinical Genomics trainees will begin the STP in September 2018.

Stakeholders and contributors to the curriculum development process can view a detailed breakdown of feedback that we received and how we responded here.