New European Network of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors

While there are a growing number of non-medical genetic practitioners in clinical practice in Europe, there has not been any organisation dedicated to the needs of those professionals.

 In an environment where the numbers of genetic tests are growing, the need to educate and develop non-medical practitioners who are competent is essential.  In addition, nurses and counsellors may be working in situations with few colleagues, where peer support is hard to access.  To address these needs, late in 2007, we initiated a new European Network of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors with the support of the ESHG.

Initially we circulated an invitation to join the network to EUGT and ESHG members, requesting that they pass it on to any genetic nurses or counsellors known to them in their countries.  Thus far, we have 72 members in the network, from Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, UK, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, Poland and Iceland.  We are grateful to our colleagues in several countries, who have said they will translate the information for their colleagues who do not speak English.  It is clear from the emails we are getting that many professionals in many countries are trying to develop this new profession and are keen to use the network for support during this important period.

At present we are collecting basic data on members to determine their needs.  We send a monthly email for contact and to update members and we plan to have a meeting in Barcelona in May, in conjunction with the ESHG/ EMPAG conference. 

So far we do not have the exact time of the network meeting in Barcelona (at the ESHG/EMPAG meeting in May) but it will be on Saturday as far as we can plan at this time. 

Please feel free to disseminate information about the network to any interested colleagues.   The strength of the network will be in the number of interested people with whom we can share our experiences and challenges. 

Heather Skirton

Unit 6, WP 6.2

Heather.skirton@plymouth.ac.uk