As clinical staff may not be in the department or may be on leave, it may be preferable to contact via the genetics secretaries or generic email / phone rather than directly.
Telephone: 0141 354 9200 or 0141 354 9300
Email: ggc.genetic.secretaries@nhs.scot
Consultant Clinical Geneticists
Dr Cheryl Longman (Neuromuscular genetics consultant)
Prof Daniela Pilz
Prof Edward Tobias (Senior Lecturer & Honorary Consultant)
Dr Jenny Patterson
Dr Karolina Pesz (lead clinician for prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation testing)
Dr Mark Hamilton
Dr Michael Yates
Dr Pete Constantinou
Dr Rosemarie Davidson (Lead Clinician for Cancer Genetics and for Huntington disease)
Dr Ruth McGowan (Lead clinician for cardiac genetics, Lead clinician for DSD)
Dr Sarah Wedderburn
Dr Shelagh Joss (Lead clinician)
Speciality Doctor
Dr Bob Ballantyne
Specialist Registrars
Dr Kerra Templeton
Dr Lisa Bryson
Dr Rhiannon Mellis
Dr Lucy Littlejohn
Specialist Registrars usually remain with the department for the duration of their 4 year training programme or may rotate to other Scottish Clinical Genetics Centres
Mark Longmuir (Head of Service): Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
Nandini Somanathan: Principal Genetic Counsellor
Somya Ellis: Genetic Counsellor
Subhashini Crerar (she/her): Consultant Genetic Counsellor, Clinical Lead for Prenatal & Neurodegenerative Genetic Counselling. Specialities: Rare Disease, Neurogenetics and Prenatal
Terix To: Pre-registered Genetic Counsellor
Cancer Genetic Counsellors
Catherine Watt – Principal Genetic Counsellor
Jennifer Gorrie – Genetic Counsellor
Nicola Bradshaw – Macmillan Principal Genetic Counsellor
The cancer genetics service provides comprehensive genetic counselling to individuals with a family history and / or a personal history of cancer, This process involves constructing detailed and confirmed family histories, risk assessment, arranging screening and or genetic analysis/ testing where appropriate and providing ongoing support. The service also participates in various U.K and international research studies.
Genetic Clinic HCSW’s
Elaine Sprowl
Sylvia McCreight
“Clinical Supervision provides nurses with space to reflect on and discuss aspects of their role that are motivating and inspiring them, and also those elements that are frustrating or concerning them. Nurses and their supervisors can then jointly work through how the former can be promoted and the latter addressed” (Scottish Government, 2017).
NHS Education for Scotland short animation giving an overview of clinical supervision
What is restorative clinical supervision?
The restorative model of clinical supervision is recognised as an approach to support reflective practice that can help build practitioners’ resilience by focusing on the individual’s (supervisee’s) experience, aiming to sustain their wellbeing and their motivation at work.
This is achieved through guided reflection, exploratory questioning and supportive challenge, enabling a focus on action planning and goal setting. Restorative clinical supervision offers practitioners the opportunity to regularly discuss the positive aspects of their work which is as important as exploring those issues they find more challenging (NHS Education for Scotland, 2021).
Why is restorative clinical supervision important?
Restorative clinical supervision is considered essential to support the nursing and midwifery workforce with the emotional challenges of their role, develop their reflective capabilities, and enable them to address professional challenges in new and innovative ways, thus contributing towards a healthy workplace culture (NHS Education for Scotland, 2022).
Why is clinical supervision important?
NHS Scotland is committed to enabling the nursing and midwifery workforce access to regular clinical supervision and support. This includes non-registered staff such as health and care support workers.
This commitment is required to ensure that safe, effective and high-quality person-centred care is provided to patients and support families and carers. In line with the Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland’s vision (Scottish Government, 2017), the aspiration is for all nurses and midwives to participate in clinical supervision appropriate to their role by 2030.
We recommend that all practitioners preparing to participate in restorative clinical supervision as supervisees, undertake Clinical supervision unit 1: fundamentals of supervision. Unit 1 is designed to provide you with an introduction to clinical supervision; what it is, the purpose, processes and potential benefits.
How do I become a clinical supervisor?
One of the ways in which to develop the skills to become a clinical supervisor is to participate in the Clinical Supervisor Preparation Programme. This programme is managed and facilitated by the practice education team in collaboration with the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Nursing and Midwifery Practice Educators.
The programme will offer you an opportunity to participate in a programme using a blended learning approach which builds on the theoretical foundation provided by the self-directed online learning units. Completion of the units is undertaken in conjunction with the online skills development workshops. The programme will also provide you with an opportunity to practice and develop the knowledge and skills for the role of clinical supervisor.
What is the programme structure?
Participants are asked to engage with and complete the four self-directed online learning units (approx. 6hrs). They can be accessed on TURAS Learn and are part of the NES Clinical supervision resource. You will then be offered five facilitated skills development workshops accessed using MS Teams (approx.11hrs) or two in person study days held centrally within the board area.
How do I apply for the clinical supervisor preparation programme?
The enrolment process is managed and facilitated by the PE team. There is a current timetable for this year and the programme runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Participants are requested to choose a cohort when booking for example, all Tuesdays or all Wednesdays. The enrolment form has a list of all the cohort dates and times you should complete this with your preferred dates.
All instructions and risk assessments for testing in patients with suspected or positive COVID-19 are listed below. This page will hold the most up to date version.
Please contact the relevant laboratory discipline in your sector if you are considering introducing a new POCT service in your area. Staff will be happy to talk you through the process and direct you to the paperwork required prior to approval and introduction of any service. As a first step we would encourage you to read the POCT policy and POCT checklist.
No new POCT service will be introduced or supported by the committee unless the POCT checklist is completed and signed off.
Internal quality control (IQC) involves analysis of control material of known concentration within predefined limits. This ensures the quality of the results produced prior to reporting any patient results from the POCT device
What is External Quality Assurance?
External Quality Assurance (EQA) involves analysis of a sample of unknown value from an external, independent source. The results are scrutinised by the EQA scheme provider and allow comparison of results across multiple sites. Participation in EQA allows monitoring of performance and possible early detection of a systematic problem with analysis of patient samples.
Any site wishing to introduce a new POCT service must enrol in a recognised EQA scheme.
Audit
The POCT team will perform audit of the service and provide feedback to the service lead. The audit outcomes and any corrective and preventative action are documented in the laboratory quality management system.
The NHSGGC Point of Care Testing (POCT) committee meets bi-annually with the aim of policy-making and review of sector POCT groups. The committee also includes Primary Care representation with the aim of guiding appropriate POCT governance in the community. The POCT Co-ordinators management group meets quarterly, with multidisciplinary representation and includes user representation where appropriate. The group focus on implementation and monitoring of POCT activity within each sector.
If you use POCT in your clinical area you must ensure your device is registered with the NHSGGC POCT committee.
What is Point of Care Testing (POCT) Testing?
Point of Care testing is defined as ‘Diagnostic testing that is performed near to or at the site of patient care with the result leading to a possible change in the care of the patient.*’ This normally takes place in a non-laboratory setting by appropriately trained non-laboratory staff.
ISO 227870: 2016 Point of Care Testing (POCT) – Requirements for Quality and Competence.
Potential Advantages of POCT
Rapid turnaround of results
Reduced patient waiting times
Earlier impact on clinical decision making
Financial efficiencies
Less invasive
Smaller sample volumes
Accessibility
Ability to reach remote places
Improved healthcare access
Potential Disadvantages of POCT
Expensive compared to conventional laboratory testing
Cost of consumables, IQC, EQA
Staff resource required at source of testing
Sample quality
Higher rate of pre-analytical errors are associated with POCT due to poor sample quality
Staff Training, competence and documentation
Appropriate training and continued competency checks required to ensure accurate results
POCT may need to be manually entered into patient record which is potentially problematic
Safety
Clear protocols required for infection control, storage and disposal of clinical waste etc.
Point of Care Testing (POCT) Services Offered in NHSGGC
Please note, not all services are available in all sectors.
Allied Health Professions are a crucial part of the NHS, making up one third of the clinical workforce.
Art Therapist
Diagnostic Radiographer
Dietitian
Dramatherapist
Music Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Orthoptist
Orthotist
Paramedic
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Prosthetists
Speech and Language Therapist
Therapeutic Radiographer
The Return to Practice process enables you to re-register with the HCPC after a period of time away from your profession. There are many reasons why you may not have practiced such as caring/parental responsibilities, illness, travel or other career routes. We value the skills you have gained whilst you have been away and look forward to your return.
Different requirements apply depending on how long you have been out of professional practice.
NHS Careers Scotland has all the information you need about the steps to re-registration including the links to the HCPC who manage the final step.
Now is the time to return and help to deliver safe and effective care for the people of Scotland.
IENs and staff who support them should utilise these resources in order to facilitate a learning environment which allows them to consolidate their clinical skills and OSCE preparation course.
To support learning and preparation for OSCEs, all IENs shall receive a copy of the book. If IEN has commenced within your area and has not yet received this, then please contact the PEF or email: practiceeducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
The NES Equality, Diversity and Human Right Team developed this digital learning resource to consider how our backgrounds and the backgrounds of others can impact our relationships. Subsequently launched by @NHSScotAcademy, it provides leaners with tools to develop their cultural humility values, attitudes and behaviours. What’s more, learners will benefit from the range of videos, reflective activities, scenarios and a resource pack.
Specifically, the NES Cultural Humility Learning Resource will enable learners to:
Understand the concepts that underpin cultural humility
Identify the key behaviours for supporting an inclusive workplace
Apply a reflective approach aimed at transforming practice in health and social care
Both health and social care staff can easily access the NES Cultural Humility Learning Resource from any laptop, computer or smart device through their TURAS account.
Mark Brooke, NMC Principal Regulation Adviser, Professional Practice and Linda Martin, Regulation Adviser, Professional Practice will deliver two ‘Welcome to the UK’ workshops to accommodate 120 of NHSGGC’s IENs. This interactive workshop is designed to support international nurses who have joined the NMC register in the last 12-18 months, to transition to their UK- based role, however, doesn’t preclude any who are waiting to join the register. This workshop is not for OSCE preparation.
The next sessions will run on Friday, 15th August 2025 in QEUH, TLC, Room L0-007 9.00am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.00pm 60 IENs at morning session and 60 IENs at afternoon session.
IENs MUST register to attend (link will be available soon) – the first 120 IENs registered will be aligned to either the morning or afternoon session at QEUH. You will receive a confirmation email confirming which session you will attend, with your SCN copied in. PLEASE NOTE: IENs must attend at the venue, date and time confirmed, there is no option to turn up at another session without prior booking.
For any IENs unsuccessful in securing a space at these sessions, NMC will facilitate two sessions later in the year for the remaining IENs.
If you have previously attended the NMC “Welcome to the UK” workshop please do not register to attend.
The Black And Minority Ethnic (BME) Staff Network was established in 2018. This followed a consultation with key stakeholders about their lived experience. The Network is working closely with the Workforce Equality Group to continuously improve the workplace experience of BME staff. Please click above link for further information.
Presentation for staff supporting IENs (UK based cohort)
LNs/SCNs/DCNs and staff who support IENs (UK based cohort) within the clinical area are invited to the next Internationally Educated Nurse information presentation. Afterward, there will be time for Q & A’s. Both the presentation and Q & A’s will take approximately 1 hr.
Our team produces and circulates a monthly Alcohol and Drug Snapshot that provides a range of information including resources, research articles, reports, events, learning and funding opportunities.
If you would like to sign up to receive our Snapshot, please contact ggc.mhead@nhs.scot*.
*Please note that this is a generic admin inbox and not monitored immediately. If you, or someone you know are in distress and need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999or NHS24 on 111.
