Melbourne Genomics is developing tools to support Victorian hospitals to implement genomic medicine safely and effectively.
Genomics is improving patient care in specialties ranging from cancer to nephrology to infection control – and the evidence for its use continues to grow.
Until now, however, Victorian hospitals have not had the tools and frameworks to bring together the rapidly evolving field of genomics with their clinical governance processes. In fact, we couldn’t find a resource for this anywhere. The safe, timely, and effective implementation of genomic medicine will need governance tailored to genomics.
Bringing healthcare leaders together
Victorian healthcare leaders identified a need for a tool to inform the safe implementation of genomics at a hospital level.
In March 2023, Melbourne Genomics brought together an expert group of chief medical officers, hospital executives and board members, clinicians, pathologists, health economists and consumer advocates. This group collaborated on a tool that applied well-established clinical governance frameworks to genomics.
Areas of implementation that needed statewide leadership were captured in a separate white paper for the Victorian Government.
A tool for hospitals
While genomic medicine has significant benefits, it also has several uncommon features that need to be considered. As a result, hospital implementation of genomics requires specific clinical governance processes.
The Genomics Capability Assessment Tool (CAT) was developed to support hospitals to implement genomic medicine safely and effectively. It is a self-assessment tool designed to help hospitals assess their readiness for genomic medicine: where they are now, where they want to be, and what they can do next.
Melbourne Genomics will continue to work with hospitals from across Victoria to further refine the tool and its utility, feasibility and practicality. The second stage of co-design and development will run from August to December 2023. If your hospital is interested in using the tool and contributing to its refinement, please reach out to us to arrange a feedback session.