Merseyside and Cheshire Regional Genetics Service
Specialty Registrar Training Programme (ST3-ST6)
Clinical genetics
Clinical genetics comes under the umbrella term of medical genetics, comprising the clinical department and the genetics laboratory. Genetics and genomic medicine is rapidly evolving. Whether your professional interests lie with the intricacies of genomic basic science or applied research, the detail of genomic variant interpretation, the excitement of treatment trials or the big picture aspects of service development, change and innovation, there will be an area of genomic medicine that suits you.
Liverpool Women’s Foundation Trust hosts the Merseyside and Cheshire Regional Genetics Service (RGS); this is a comprehensive genetics service for a population of approximately 2.8 million people across Merseyside, Cheshire and the Isle of Man. The service has strong links with many clinical and academic departments across the city and beyond.
Ethos of Department
The departmental ethos is strongly aligned to the goal of the Trust as a whole - to provide excellent healthcare for families in a safe, friendly and caring environment. We are proud to push the boundaries of healthcare for our patients and their families and we continue to influence national and international research and development in these fields.
Consultants
Dr Lynn Greenhalgh
Dr Emma McCann
Dr Astrid Weber
Dr Ian Ellis
Dr Victoria McKay
Dr Jenny Higgs
Dr Natalie Canham
Training in Clinical Genetics
Entry to the specialty is at ST3 level. Completion of Foundation year competencies and of those in core medical training (CMT1 and 2) or level 1 paediatrics is essential. A broad range of experience in acute general medicine and/or paediatrics with exposure to unselected medical take is essential. MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent are essential.
The training programme in clinical genetics is four years (subject to satisfactory ARCPs), of which at least three years must be clinical training during which experience will be gained in all aspects of clinical genetics. The programme incorporates training in laboratory and theoretical genetics, genetic counselling and ethical issues, mathematical genetics and the use of genetic databases.
The formal working hours are 9am to 5pm. STs do not undertake on call duties and no banding allowance applies to this post
LTFT Training
Those trainees training less than fulltime (LTFT) will participate in the same rotational programme as full-time trainees with sessions allocated on a pro-rata basis. The training programme will be extended with modules repeated to ensure that training experience equivalent to that of full-time trainees is obtained.
Facilities
Trainees share purpose built offices with their own telephones and PCs with internet access. Genetic databases are available for use by trainees, together with other computer programmes such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Secretarial support is provided to each trainee by a specified Personal Assistant within the department.
Reference books and journals are available within the genetics department library and a wider selection can be ordered through the main Trust library. The main library has 10 desk top PCs for quiet working with 24 hour access.
Overview of Clinical Training Programme
Year 1 (ST3) – Introduction to Clinical Genetics
Dysmorphology and paediatric genetics
Cancer genetics introduction
Introduce ward/urgent referrals (starting November/month 3 of ST3)
Introduce your peripheral clinic
Lab attachment (1 month – keep 1 general clinic per week + peripherals)
Introduce 2nd general clinic per month (to max. of 10 clinics per month for 1.0WTE trainee)
Year 2 (ST4) – Sub-specialty Genetics
Neurogenetics and neuropsychiatric genetics
Cardiac genetics
General adult genetics
Metabolic Attachment (2 weeks, in
Year 3 (ST5) – Special Interest or Research Year
One general genetics clinic per week + peripheral clinics
Specialist interest clinics could include:
or any other clinics related to your developing area of interest.
Time could also be used to develop a clinical or basic science research interest or to generate pilot data before major projects or OOPR.
You also need to strongly consider taking SCE Medical Genetics examination in ST5 (if not on OOPR)
Final Year 4 (ST6)
Unselected patients from all areas of clinical genetics
Maximum of 10 clinics per month for WTE trainee
Make post-CCT plans for further research posts, fellowships or consultant posts
Further consolidation of sub-specialty genetics to include some of the following:
You will also need to complete the current mandatory courses as determined by HENW.
Could also consider overseas experience in either developing country or to gain more insight into a specific area of clinical genetics.
Overview of Individual Training Programmes Based on Prior Experience
Paediatric Background
Adult Background
General Monthly Commitments and Expectations of Trainees
Example Trainee Monthly Timetable:
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 AM | General Clinic | Clinical team Meeting | ICC MDT (LHCH) | ||
Week 1 PM | StR Lunchtime Teaching | General Clinic | Teaching Liverpool / Manchester | ||
Week 2 AM | General Clinic | Peripheral Clinic |
Skeletal Dysplasias MDT (AHCH) Fetal Path MDT (AHCH) |
||
Week 2 PM | StR Lunchtime Teaching | General Clinic |
Departmental Meeting Case discussions and MDTs |
||
Week 3 AM | General Clinic | Neurogenetics MDT (AHCH / LWH) | Peripheral Clinic | ||
Week 3 PM | StR Lunchtime Teaching | General Clinic |
Departmental Meeting Case discussions and MDTs |
||
Week 4 Am | General Clinic | ||||
Week 4 PM | StR Lunchtime Teaching | General Clinic |
Departmental Meeting Case discussions and MDTs |
||
Other Educational Opportunities during Training
Courses and training requirements will change frequently. Please keep up-to-date with all information on the Mersey Deanery and Health Education North West websites and discuss potential training opportunities with your
Mandatory courses
(as per deanery, please check website https://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/welcome)
Medical leadership and Management, Edge Hill University (free for final year registrars, multiple cohorts per year but will need to book in advance)
Other Courses and Training Events
It is intended that trainees will have access to as many courses as their study budget allows and assuming clinics have appropriate cover. Clinics can be cancelled for study leave events as long as 6 weeks’ notice is given. More than one trainee can attend the same event as long as clinic commitments are covered/cancelled, as we appreciate that some courses are only held once every two years and there may only be one opportunity to attend during training.
Attendance at other events such as conferences, and symposia is encouraged, but study leave to attend should be discussed with your educational supervisor well in advance. For every conference but especially in more senior years, trainees are encouraged to submit abstracts, posters and presentations to conferences.
Audit and Teaching
Trainees are expected to participate in local, regional and national opportunities for audit, quality improvement projects and teaching. Trainees are encouraged to submit work for presentation at local, national and international meetings.
Dedicated Teaching Time
Trainees have regular teaching sessions within the department, in local specialist Trusts and with other genetics trainees within Health Education North West. Current teaching sessions include:
All the information above is available to download as a booklet by clicking this link.