Genomics
Saint Mary's Hospital
Genomics at Saint Mary's Hospital
The Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary's Hospital is an integrated NHS clinical genetics and genomic medicine service. It brings together clinical services, specialist genomic laboratories, education and research activity to support diagnosis, counselling and management for people and families affected by genetic and genomic conditions.
Observers and fellows will experience how genomic medicine is delivered within a large regional service covering Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. The programme offers exposure to multidisciplinary working across prenatal genetics, dysmorphology, neuromuscular genetics, neuropsychiatric genetics, ophthalmic genetics, cardiac genetics, cancer genetics and inherited metabolic medicine.
The service is linked with the North West Genomic Laboratory Hub, which provides single gene and genomic testing across rare disease and cancer pathways. This includes germline diagnostic, carrier, predictive and prenatal testing, alongside somatic testing for haematological malignancies and solid tumours.
Observers and fellows can gain practical insight into NHS genomic pathways, interpretation of genomic information, clinical communication, family-centred care, genomic counselling, laboratory-clinical interface, and the role of research and innovation in translating genomic discoveries into routine practice.
Fellowships and observerships at Manchester Specialist Health Academy provide international clinicians with structured opportunities to experience high quality healthcare training within a leading NHS environment. Both pathways offer consultant oversight, a clear induction, and access to modern clinical settings that support a strong understanding of advanced patient care. Participants are welcomed into a professional community that encourages learning, collaboration, and engagement with the culture of Manchester.
While fellows take part in more in depth clinical development, gaining exposure to subspecialties, procedures and research, observers focus on shadowing and understanding multidisciplinary practice within NHS services. Both groups benefit from involvement in clinics, team discussions, and wider learning activities such as simulation sessions, CPD opportunities, and quality improvement insight.
Academic contributions and awards
The service has a strong research portfolio spanning genomic medicine, rare disease, pharmacogenomics, newborn testing, digital innovation and genomic laboratory development, supported by collaboration across MFT, The University of Manchester and regional genomic networks.
Rare and complex cases
• Rare disease presentations requiring genomic diagnosis, clinical interpretation and family-based assessment.
• Prenatal and paediatric genomic medicine, including congenital anomaly pathways and inherited metabolic disease.
• Cancer genetics and familial cancer risk assessment involving germline and tumour genomic information.
• Cardiac, ophthalmic, neuromuscular and neuropsychiatric conditions where genomic findings influence clinical management.
• Complex medication-related genomic pathways, including pharmacogenomics initiatives designed to support personalised treatment decisions.
• Multigenerational conditions where counselling, cascade testing and coordinated follow-up are central to safe care.
Why Manchester?
Manchester is a city of innovation and progress, renowned as the world’s first industrial city and still leading in science, healthcare, and technology. With excellent transport links and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, it offers an inclusive environment for learning and professional growth.
Beyond your placement, Manchester offers something for everyone - from watching the iconic Manchester derby to exploring world-class museums and galleries. With vibrant music, sport, and culture, the city truly has it all. Combining heritage and modernity, it creates a unique setting for personal enrichment and memorable experiences whilst you develop professionally.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Genomics
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand how genomic medicine services are structured within a large NHS regional genetics centre.
- Observe clinical approaches to assessment, diagnosis and management of genetic and genomic conditions across the lifespan.
- Recognise how multidisciplinary teams use genomic information to support patient care, family counselling and onward management.
- Gain insight into the interface between clinical genetics, genomic laboratories, research teams and wider specialty services.
- Develop awareness of NHS clinical governance, consent, confidentiality and communication expectations in genomic medicine.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Genomics
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate specialist knowledge of genomic medicine pathways relevant to rare disease, cancer genetics, prenatal genetics and pharmacogenomics.
- Develop supervised experience of clinical reasoning in genomic medicine, including referral assessment, phenotype review and interpretation of genomic information.
- Strengthen understanding of variant interpretation, genomic test selection and the contribution of laboratory findings to patient management.
- Build practical skills in multidisciplinary communication, case discussion, family-centred counselling and safe documentation within NHS governance frameworks.
- Gain exposure to service improvement, education, research and innovation activity that supports translation of genomic advances into clinical care.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in ophthalmology or a relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in ophthalmology or a related specialty within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of continuous practice before applying.
- Training Level: Equivalent to ST5 or above, or post-CCT clinicians seeking subspecialty exposure.
- Language Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 7.0 in each band and overall 7.5, or OET Medicine with Grade B in all domains, with certificate validity within 24 months.
- Registration: GMC registration is required for fellowship activity. Sponsorship support may be available through approved routes where appropriate.
- Applicants must not have failed PLAB exams previously.
- Visa sponsorship is only available through approved routes; self-funded visas outside agreed schemes are excluded.