The HSE is seeking “additional resources” including more staff for its national genetics and genomics office (NGGO), this newspaper has learned.
The NGGO was established in 2023 to drive the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland and to improve genetic and genomic medicine services.
In January, the Medical Independent (MI) reported that recruitment of permanent posts to the NGGO had been impacted by the HSE recruitment embargo.
The lifting of the recruitment embargo has enabled the NGGO to proceed in the recruitment process for one whole-time equivalent (WTE) position, a HSE spokesperson told MI.
The spokesperson added that the assistant national director role was filled on a permanent basis at the end of April. “HSE clinical leadership roles are regularly filled via secondment,” the spokesperson said. “The role of clinical director continues to be filled via secondment.”
According to figures provided to this newspaper, the office currently employs six
WTE staff.
“Funding for additional resources is being sought for 2025. As the office’s programme of work evolves there may be a need for additional staff and skills.”
The spokesperson added that the office expects to launch the first version of the national genomic test directory for rare and inherited disease in January.
“The development of the directory has been achieved through a collaborative approach between the NGGO and consultants in various specialties and hospital laboratories.”
The test directory will provide advice to clinicians and laboratories on the genetic and genomic tests suitable for specific clinical specialties. During 2025, the NGGO will work with other specialties to develop further versions of the test directory.
The NGGO is also working to establish the national genomics processing service, which is “a pre- and post-analytical sample processing service that will assist with operationalising the national genomic test directory”.
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