1. Ad Hoc Genetic Nurse and Counsellor Accreditation Committee Chairpersons: Professor Heather Skirton and Marie-Antoinette Voelckel

2. Aims To establish genetic counsellors as part of the multi-disciplinary team providing genetic healthcare in Europe To set standards of professional practice To set standards of education To achieve European recognition as a profession

3. It is important we produce standards that ensure patient safety but are adaptable to national legal and health service frameworks

4. Current membership of our network of genetic counsellors and nurses 23 countries 140 members Countries represented by genetic nurses, genetic counsellors or medical geneticists Website www.engnc.org

5. Method so far Draft documents written, based on European core competences and some existing frameworks and standards Workshops with members fro many countries Circulation for comments and vote

6. Progress Standards of practice written Masters education pathway Code of practice written Competences Multi-disciplinary working Approved by members and national genetic counsellor/nurse organisations (UK, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway)

7. Full draft document available on the ESHG website Please download and discuss with relevant professionals

8. Comments required from national organisations We need to ensure effective team working within each national context. Heather.skirton@plymouth.ac.uk