Christine Patch
I am passionate about combining the science of genomics with the art of working alongside patients and their families coming to terms with the impact of genomic information in their lives. I enjoy working across disciplines and boundaries and believe this is the best way to harness the excitement and power of genomics for the benefit of individuals and health care. I want to contribute to the responsible uses of the technology in delivering effective, patient and family focused health services.
Having started her professional career as a nurse Christine has worked in genetics since the late 1980’s. Following a role as consultant genetic counsellor in an NHS regional genetics centre, she was clinical lead for genetic counselling and Caldicott Guardian at Genomics England. She has been involved in direct patient care; leading, developing and managing clinical genetic services and, latterly through her work at Genomics England contributing to the ambition of the UK’s genomic policy. Her PhD and post-doctoral work focused on evaluating genetic testing strategies. She maintained her nursing registration until March 2022, having recognised the major contribution that nurses and allied health professionals will make to genomic health care in the future.
In addition to contributing at a national and international level to the responsible development of genomic health care she has collaborated in research exploring how individuals and families manage genomic information including developing interventions to facilitate family communication about genetic disorders that affect them. Recent positions include Reader in Genomic Health Care, Kings College London and Visiting Professor (Health and Wellbeing) Sheffield Hallam University.
After retiring from Genomics England in December 2021 she has maintained her post as Principal Staff Scientist, Genomic Counselling with the Research & Dialogue group, Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science.
She has held many leadership positions in relation to genetics including being the first genetic counsellor on the UK Human Genetics Commission, chair of the British Society of Human Genetics (now the British Society of Genomic Medicine), President of the European Society of Human Genetics (the first genetic Counsellor or allied health professional to hold that position) and co-lead of an emerging international network of nursing and genomics; G2NA.
Combining these experiences she has been part of developments in policy around genetics at a national and international level, the development of genetic counselling as a profession in the UK and Europe and the 100,000 Genomes Project and the development of the Genomics Medicine Service in the NHS.
Recent papers include:
“It didn’t mean anything” – moving within a landscape of knowledge to interpret genetics and genetic test results within familial cancer concerns
Mavis Machirori, Christine Patch, Alison Metcalfe
2021 New Genetics and Society
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14636778.2021.1997575
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Participant experiences of genome sequencing for rare diseases in the 100,000 Genomes Project: a mixed methods study
Michelle Peter, Jennifer Hammond , Christine Patch , Celine Lewis et al
2022 European Journal of Human Genetics
2022-03-09 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01065-2
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100,000 Genomes Pilot on Rare-Disease Diagnosis in Health Care — Preliminary Report
The 100,000 genomes Project Pilot Investigators
2021 New England Journal of Medicine
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2035790
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Return of individual research results from genomic research: A systematic review of stakeholder perspectives.
Vears DF, Patch C, Murtagh M et al
2021 PloS one