We are thrilled to welcome Dr Jude Hayward, GPwSI in Clinical Genetics / Genomics, Yorkshire Regional Genetic Service and Primary Care Lead for National Genomics Education Programme, as our Innovation Lead.

With an extensive background in Primary Care, Genomics and its implementation into healthcare systems, and a passion for research and innovation, Jude is poised to drive our mission forward, building on our understanding of how to bring the transformative potential of genomics in disease management and prevention directly to patients.

Research and innovation (R&I) are at the heart of our mission to advance the role of genomics in healthcare. Through research, we aim to deepen our understanding of how genomics influences the onset, progression, and treatment of diseases.  Innovation not only supports the discovery and development of new genomic tests and personalized treatments but also ensures their integration into routine NHS clinical practice.

Strategic Priorities

As part of the NHS Genomics Strategy (2022), our focus is on leveraging the latest scientific advancements to ensure patients benefit from rapid implementation of innovations on a national scale. Our efforts align with three key national priorities:

  1. Empowering patients to make informed decisions about the use of their data in R&I.
  2. Strengthening and creating new relationships to foster innovation, collaboration,  and generate evidence for adoption and improvement in healthcare.
  3. Supporting alignment with clinical trials and national life sciences projects, contributing to the growth of the life sciences sector in the UK.

Our vision

We are committed to being a leader in genomic research, actively collaborating with NHS organisations, academic institutions, commercial and industry partners, to deliver high-quality R&I that enhances patient outcomes and benefits families across the region.

We are dedicated to working alongside Genomics England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and other key partners to advance genomic R&I projects throughout our region.

Under Jude’s leadership, we are excited to embark on a series of strategic initiatives in 2024 and beyond including spearheading the regional delivery of the Generation Study in partnership with NHS recruiting sites.