Integrating genomics into clinical practice: the Australian genomics health alliance

Integrating genomics into clinical practice: the Australian genomics health alliance

Integrating genomics into clinical practice: the Australian genomics health alliance (#38)

Kathryn North ¹

Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia

Next gen sequencing is already transforming the diagnosis and management of genetic disorders. However, effective integration of this “disruptive technology” into everyday clinical practice will require a whole-of-system approach that builds on existing expertise. In Australia, we also need to overcome the “state/federal divide” in the funding of genetic testing to develop a cohesive national approach that is cost effective and provides equitable access.

The Australian Genomics Health Alliance (AGHA) is an NHMRC-funded national network committed to implementing genomic medicine within Australia and providing evidence to inform policy and practice. AGHA comprises 47 partner organisations including the diagnostic pathology and clinical genetics services of all Australian States and Territories, along with the major research and academic institutions and peak professional bodies. By approaching clinical genomics at a national rather than state-based level, we increase our critical mass and offer a single point of contact for government and for national and international consortia. Our approach – starting with the patient and developing a system that is focussed on improving patient care and outcomes – provides us with a unique opportunity to lead internationally in the integration of genomics into healthcare.

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Authors contributing to this presentation.

North, K

Professor Kathryn North AM is Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the David Danks Professor of Child Health Research at the University of Melbourne. Professor North is trained as a physician, neurologist and clinical geneticist and in 1994, was awarded a doctorate for research in neurogenetics. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Harvard Genetics Program. Professor North has a major research and clinical focus on Genomic Medicine. In 2014, Professor North was appointed as Co-Chair of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health – a collaborative network of over 400 organisations across over 45 countries funded by the NIH and the Wellcome Trust (genomicsandhealth.org). Commencing in 2016, she is one of the leaders of an NHMRC-funded national network of over 40 institutions - the Australian Genomics Health Alliance (AGHA). The goal of AGHA is to provide evidence and practical strategies for the implementation of genomic medicine in the Australian health system. Professor North has received a number of awards including the GSK Australia Award for Research Excellence (2011), the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2012) and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to medicine in the field of neuromuscular and neurogenetics research (2012). In 2012, Professor North was appointed Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council Research Committee and in 2014 was appointed as a Foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science. She chairs the International Advisory Board of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK) and is a member of the Board of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Integrating genomics into clinical practice: the Australian genomics health alliance (#38)

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