Wales

Genetic Interest Group in Wales

Devolution in the United Kingdom means that healthcare services and policies for Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.  A dedicated post for GIG in Wales makes it familiar with the local networks and organisations and with the knowledge and ability to be responsive to changes.  Close working between colleagues in the main office and Buddug ensures GIG's work in Wales benefits from resources and expertise from a UK level. 

In Wales, GIG works in partnership with many organisations, particularly the Wales Gene Park.  This is a network of professionals in clinical, academic and educational disciplines with and interest in Medical Genetics, primarily based in Cardiff University but also includesthe University of Glamorgan and Swansea University.

GIG in Wales has three key areas of work, they are described below. Implicit to these areas are involving individuals and families affected with genetic conditions on the various projects and informing them of any relevant developments.  Click on the links to take you to the web pages relevant to the subjects for more information.

Policy and health service development.  GIG is involved in several different campaigns to introduce and improve health services in Wales for various genetic conditions.  Current campaigns include: introducing a Wales-wide service for diagnosing Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol),  establishing a health service network for neuromuscular conditions (muscle service) across Wales, better investment and development of neuroscience services and creating a fair health policy for rare diseases so that healthcare services and therapies are accessible and equitable for those people who need them. 

Education and public engagement.  GIG has successfully developed several educational and public engagement initiatives and has worked in partnership with other organisations for many of these.  They include a Wellcome Trust funded theatre in education project to young people (14-18 years old) about genetics and mental health: "Boy Genius"; and a pilot project: "Living with a genetic condition", involving people affected by genetic conditions with children and young people in schools within their local community. 

GIG has also been actively involved in health professional education initiatives. These include "Telling Stories, Understanding Real Life Genetics", a website full of stories and personal experiences of people affected by genetic conditions developed specifically to help train the nursing professions.  GIG also takes several teaching sessions with the students on the MSc in Genetic Counselling.  Topics covered include the value of voluntary organisations in relation to direct support for individuals, families and carers; advocacy; campaigning and lobbying.

Contributing to research and independent projects related to genetics.  These disciplines include basic and translational research for the natural and social sciences and the humanities.  Projects include organisations involved in UK genetics policy and a systematic review in communicating risk in clinical genetics by Cardiff University.

GIG has a full-time position in Wales.  Buddug (pronounced: Bithig) is GIG's development officer for Wales. 

If you would like more information or get involved in GIGs work in Wales, please contact our development officer:  Buddug Williams at

Email: williamsbg@cf.ac.uk 

Tel:02920 687 646  

Address: 206b Neuadd Meirionnydd Heath Park  Caerdydd  CF14 4YS