Access to testing, Government funding for small and medium charities and more ...
A brief update from Nick, the Director of Policy for Genetic Alliance UK:
- Anyone over five can now access testing, unpaid carers now classed as key workers and can be fast tracked for testing.
- New antibody tests that may be able to tell if you have had the virus now available. These are available for patients at clinicians request and so this could be a route for people affected by genetic, rare or undiagnosed conditions to access this test.
- Our policy team is beginning to think about how normal services for rare conditions might resume, please get in touch if you believe there are specific aspects of care that should be prioritised by emailing nick@geneticalliance.org.uk.
- New Government funding for small and medium charities now open.
- Our community check-in this week focused on the impact of Covid-19 and mental health and well-being and we are working on new ideas of how we can support the community around this.
- With schools potentially re-opening on Monday 1 June, the community check-in next Tuesday will be focused on education and we will be joined by Parentkind to discuss how we can ensure the voice of the genetic, rare and undiagnosed community is included in their advocacy work.
If you have any specific issues relating to England or policy more generally please email me, nick@geneticalliance.org.uk.