Close Relative Marriage: equitable access to genetic information and services - elearning for healthcare
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This programme is in partnership with...
  • TUOS
  • MFT
  • NHSI-partner

About the programme

Close relative (consanguineous) marriage is widely practised globally. However, it is linked to an increased risk of recessive genetic disorders. Improving understanding about genetic inheritance can empower affected families and reduce unexpected, affected births and infant deaths. Healthcare professionals can do more to ensure equitable access to genetic information and services for affected families.

The Government’s ambition is, by 2025, to halve rates of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths and brain injuries occurring during or soon after birth. Reducing genetic risk amongst “at risk” populations can contribute to meeting these targets and the legal duty to reduce inequalities under the NHS Constitution and the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

This elearning programme has been developed for health visitors, midwives, GPs, paediatricians, social workers, public health practitioners, as well as genetic counsellors.

By undertaking the programme, learners will:

  • review national and local data and gain new understanding about the nature of this healthcare need
  • identify concrete ways to improve the quality of their service
  • feel confident in sharing good practice principles with colleagues

Assessments are undertaken to reflect on learners’ new knowledge. A certificate is available to download on completion.

Learners may also be interested in the Genomics Education Programme, available in the Genomics in the NHS elearning programme in the elfh Hub.

Meet the team

  • Sarah Salway

    Sarah Salway

    Professor of Public Health, University of Sheffield
  • Naz

    Naz Khan

    Principal Genetic Counsellor Genomic Medicine Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Karen Thirsk

    Karen Thirsk

    Safety and Prevention Manager, NHSE and NHS Improvement
  • Karen Walker - ID

    Karen Walker

    Lead learning designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • elfh staff - Paul Kelly

    Paul Kelly

    Learning designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Jon Collins

    Jon Collins

    Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Jonathan Guy

    Jonathan Guy

    Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Naomi Knight

    Naomi Knight

    Graphic Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
  • Rachel Gowland

    Rachel Gowland

    Stakeholder Officer, HEE elearning for healthcare

How to access

In order to access any elfh programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.

Register >

If you already have an account with elfh, then you can enrol on to the Close Relative Marriage: equitable access to genetic information and services programme by logging in to the elfh Hub, selecting My Account > Enrolment and selecting the programme. You can then access the programme immediately in the My elearning section.

To view the Close Relative Marriage: equitable access to genetic information and services programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.

View >

Not an NHS organisation?

If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access e-LfH Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.

To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.

Registering large numbers of users

If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Close Relative Marriage: equitable access to genetic information and services programme, please contact e-LfH directly.

Organisations wishing to use their own LMS

For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact e-LfH directly to express interest.

More information

Please select the following link for more information on how to use the e-LfH Hub.

elfh is a NHS England programme in partnership with the NHS and professional bodies