The Participant Panel
The Participant Panel is a key advisory group for Genomics England, working to ensure that the voices of patients, their families, and their experiences inform our work.
Joining the panel
What we do
The Panel plays a vital role in ensuring the interests of participants are always at the centre of everything Genomics England does. Panel members help to guide and advise Genomics England and how genomic medicine is used in the NHS.
Who can join?
Anyone who has taken part in the 100,000 Genomes Project, the GenOMICC COVID-19 Study, or has had a genomic test via the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, whose data is held in the National Genomic Research Library (NGRL) can apply to join the Panel. Carers of those who have taken part are also welcome.
What does it involve?
The Panel meets four times a year for a day-long session. There are usually documents to read or consider before these meetings, as well as some follow-up work afterwards. Some Panel members also sit on other committees within Genomics England and will therefore need to attend those extra meetings. Opportunities also arise to participate in working groups, although these are optional.
How to apply
The Participant Panel has now closed recruitment for new members. Thank you to everyone who has applied. If you have any questions about the Participant Panel, you can get in touch at [email protected]
The Panel members
The Panel in action
Articles
EJHG: Research participants: critical friends, agents for change
The Participant Panel was invited by the editor of the European Journal of Human Genetics to write an article about patient and participant engagement in large scale genomics projects and the lessons learned. Our article can be accessed here, though it is behind a journal paywall. If you’d like to learn more about it, please get in contact at [email protected].
Update from the Panel
Panel Chair Jillian Hastings Ward's blog post, detailing what was covered at a recent Panel meeting.
Committees
Each of Genomics England’s committees reserve spaces for representatives from the Panel to ensure that the interests of participants are kept at the heart of decision-making. Find out more about the Panel’s role with these committees
