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A genomic medicine pioneer on your doorstep

The North West Coast NHS Genomic Medicine Centre (GMC) is running a launch event on Monday 27 July at Liverpool Women’s Hospital to tell people about the 100,000 Genomes Project which aims to transform diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer and rare diseases.

The initiative involves collecting and decoding 100,000 human genomes – complete sets of people’s genes – that will enable scientists and doctors to understand more about specific conditions. The GMC aims to recruit up to 4,500 patients as part of the project – and as one of 11 established NHS GMCs.

The North West Coast NHS GMC represents a number of NHS organisations working together. Led by Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, it is supported by the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network and Liverpool Health Partners.

The North West Coast GMC is responsible for recruiting and obtaining a sample of blood for the extraction of host DNA, as well as providing the participant’s clinical data. The launch will provide more insight into the programme and the benefits to patients across the North West Coast.

Prof Sue Hill OBE, NHS England’s Chief Scientific Officer, will also be speaking at the event.

North West Coast NHS Genomic Medicine Centre launch event: Monday 27 July, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, 3.30-6.15pm. There are a few places left. Please use the password NWCGMC to register.

Find out more about the 100,000 Genomes Project and NHS England’s contribution

Find out more about Genomics England

The Genomics Education Programme is offering fully funded places for NHS staff on a new academic Master’s in Genomic Medicine that is being offered through a national network of nine universities. Apply now for funded places for courses starting in the 2015/16 academic year.