HVM is a finalist in the MRS Awards 2022

We are delighted to announce that HVM is a finalist in the Market Research Society (MRS) Awards for Public Policy/ Social Research 2022 for a major public dialogue for Genomics England, the UK National Screening Committee and Sciencewise on the implications of using whole genome sequencing (wgs) for newborn screening (launched July 2021).

Introducing whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the UK’s newborn screening programme would be one of the most radical changes to health screening anywhere in the world. A change of this magnitude cannot just be informed by science.  Society’s views are needed. Hence this public dialogue which the HVM team had the privilege of designing, facilitating and reporting on.

To explore this complex subject, but we used innovative online methods to engage 133 participants from across the country in a deliberative process over several weeks. Facilitators worked with small groups who in turn discussed the issues with thirty four specialist speakers including people with experience of genetic conditions and their families, clinicians, scientists, researchers and policy makers.

The HVM team is honoured to celebrate this work and be amongst our prestigious co-finalists.