This June, in collaboration with a team of genetic counsellors in the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) and the British Society of Genetic Medicine (BGSM), the Wales Gene Park Education & Engagement Team helped to organise and deliver the Annual Association of Genetic Nurses & Counsellors (AGNC) Conference, 2024. We were joined by a range of specialists, charities & health professionals who shared their expertise in supporting patients experiencing a rare or genetic condition.
Delegates gathered at the esteemed Centre for Student Life Building on Cardiff University’s campus for two days of engagement in a full and varied programme of talks, a varied poster symposium and set of exhibition stands to explore. Exhibitors included Wales Gene Park, Unique charity, alongside sponsors Astrazeneca, and Health New Zealand. The event was also kindly supported by Genomics Partnership Wales, alongside sponsor & genetic diagnosis service CeGaT. Thank you to our sponsors.
Conference day one commenced with illuminating talks on topics such as New Treatments in Cystic Fibrosis by Dr Dawn Lau, The All-Wales Psychiatric Genomics Service by Principal Genetic Counsellor Donna Duffin, and the All-Wales Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) Clinic by Dr Matthew Spencer, and Clinical Nurse Specialist Zoe Morrison.
Audiences were joined by Lauren Roberts from the charity organisation Rareminds, who spoke on how rare diseases impact mental health and what resources the charity provides to aid individuals in this. Dr Louise Hartley followed with a talk on New Therapies on Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Delegates sincerely enjoyed the wellbeing theme during our conference and were offered options of a wellbeing walk near campus in the picturesque Alexandra Gardens, or to attend a fitness session with Freeletics, between the informative set of talks.
Remaining topics covered on day 1 ranged from Sickle Cell Disease, Haemoglobinopathies, Health Education & Improvement Wales’ Strategic Genomics Workforce Plan, and our Education & Engagement Lead Dr Rhian Morgan’s talk on the accomplishments of Wales Gene Park. To keep a balance between work and play, a fabulous conference dinner was enjoyed at Techniquest Science Discovery Centre with a visit from the Tenovus Cancer Care Choir – who’s inspiring energy was positively received by attendees.
During the remainder of the conference, our delegates were exposed to more awe-inspiring talks, with Dr Jane Clarke-Williams exploring the Menopause and Breast Cancer. A stand out presentation presented by Dr Frauke Pelz spoke of the Human Experience of Living with Von Hippel-Lindau Disease.
We were grateful to delegates for contributing brilliant research and case study abstracts prior to the conference, with some presenting short-lightning talks. The Lauren Kerzin-Storrar memorial prize was awarded to Alekhya Ashokan’s abstract: ‘Service Development Project: Offering standardized digital family history assessment for symptomatic patients referred to Endoscopy Unit’. If you’d like to read more of this abstract or the others submitted, visit the E-pack for AGNC Conference 2024 here.
The feedback we received from attendees for their conference experience was overwhelmingly positive. One delegate said ‘It was absolutely fantastic and filled with beautiful memories. We also learned so much from the event’. Another delegate quoted the conference organisational team as ‘incredible hosts’ alongside esteemed colleagues from AWMGS, AGNC & BSG. The E&E team are so proud to have been involved in delivering such a successful national conference, and sincerely look forward to the next one.
If you are interested in working with us on a similar event, please contact us via our email walesgenepark@cardiff.ac.uk.
By Isabella Parker, Education & Engagement Officer
Wales Gene Park
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