Christine Patch is a nurse and genetic counsellor. She is a Principal Staff Scientist in Genomic Counselling in the Society and Ethics Research group, part of Wellcome Connecting Science, based on the

Wellcome Genome Campus The Wellcome Genome Campus is a scientific research campus built in the grounds of Hinxton Hall, Hinxton in Cambridgeshire, England. Campus The Campus is home to some institutes and organisations in genomics and computational biology. The Camp ...

. She is also the Clinical Lead for Genetic Counselling at

Genomics England Genomics England is a British company set up and owned by the United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care to run the 100,000 Genomes Project. The project aimed in 2014 to sequence 100,000 genomes from NHS patients with a rare disease an ...

, and a former President of the

European Society of Human Genetics The European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) is a non-profit organization that promotes research, facilitates communication and encourages best practice in applications of human and medical genetics, particularly in Europe. The society organizes t ...

Education

Patch studied Psychology at the

University of Southampton , mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour , type = Public research university , established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...

, followed by a PhD in Public Health and Medical Statistics.Christine Patch ORCID page
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Career and research

Christine Patch began her career as a nurse, eventually becoming a Consultant Genetic Counsellor and Manager at Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, where she led and developed the clinical genetics service at Guy's Hospital. She was also a Reader in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College London.King's College London press release
/ref> As the Clinical Lead for Genetic Counselling at Genomics England, Patch is responsible for considering how resources are used to support patients and families who have received a genetic diagnosis from the

100,000 Genomes Project The 100,000 Genomes Project is a now-completed UK Government project managed by Genomics England that is sequencing whole genomes from National Health Service patients. The project is focusing on rare diseases, some common types of cancer, and ...

manage the impact of genetic information on their lives.Genomics England Rare Disease Day article
/ref> Patch is also the

Caldicott guardian The Caldicott Committee's December 1997 ''Report on the Review of Patient-Identifiable Information'', usually referred to as the Caldicott Report (named after its author Dame Fiona Caldicott), identified weaknesses in the way parts of NHS handled ...

for Genomics England, ensuring that appropriate governance relating to confidentiality and data sharing for genomic healthcare and research in the NHS, is in place. Genomics England International Women's Day article
/ref> She is a member of Wellcome Connecting Science's Society and Ethics Research group, which is led by Professor Anna Middleton.Society and Ethics Research group team page
/ref> Patch is also the Co-Lead of the Steering Group for the Global Genomics Nursing Alliance.G2NA leadership team
/ref> She has extensive research interests in

genetic testing Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...

, communication and counselling, investigating how the responsible uses of new technologies can deliver effective, patient and family-focused, health services. Recent work has included exploring the attitudes of young people to DNA sequencing, rare disease diagnosis and decision making; and assessing the views of healthcare professionals with experience of offering genome sequencing via the 100,000 Genomes Project.

Honours and awards

Patch was the Chair of the British Society for Genetic Medicine (2009-2011); British Society for Genetic Medicine
/ref> and the President of European Society of Human Genetics (2017-2018), European Society of Human Genetics list of former Presidents
/ref> and remains an ESHG Board member. ESHG current Board members
/ref> She is also a Trustee of the Progress Educational Trust. PET list of Trustees
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References

Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Alumni of the University of Southampton British nurses {{improve categories, date=November 2020