MEDIA RELEASE
InGeNA – Industry Genomics Network Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Sydney, 24 September 2026

Ahead of a landmark October visit, including a National Press Club address in Canberra, InGeNA points to a pivotal moment for Australian genomics

SYDNEY, 17 September 2026 — InGeNA (Industry Genomics Network Alliance), Australia’s peak industry body for genomics and precision medicine, today confirmed details of the October visit of Professor Dame Sue Hill DBE, Chief Scientific Officer for England and Senior Responsible Officer for Genomics in the NHS.

The announcement comes just days after the Australian Government and state and territory governments released the National Health Genomics Policy Framework and Implementation Plan 2026–2030, following endorsement by Health Ministers: a milestone that sharpens the relevance of Professor Hill’s visit as Australia moves from policy design into implementation.

Professor Hill will also deliver a National Press Club address in Canberra on Wednesday 14 October, titled Scaling Clinical Genomics: Lessons from the NHS for Australia.

Professor Hill will visit Australia from 12 to 16 October 2026, combining senior government engagement, industry leadership discussions and broader ecosystem events across Sydney and Canberra:

• Monday 12 October (Sydney): InGeNA strategic briefing, introducing Professor Hill to Australia’s genomics policy and implementation environment.
• Tuesday 13 October (Canberra): Ministerial and national genomics leadership meetings, including with the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Assistant Treasurer, senior Department of Health leadership and Genomics Australia, followed by a visit to the National Indigenous Genomics Centre and stakeholder dinner.
• Wednesday 14 October (Canberra): National Press Club address, Scaling Clinical Genomics: Lessons from the NHS for Australia, alongside a proposed UK–Australia leadership breakfast hosted by the British High Commission and a parliamentary and health ecosystem roundtable (breakfast and roundtable details to be confirmed).
• Thursday 15 October (Sydney): The flagship Future of Genomics and Precision Medicine Forum, a public keynote and networking event, followed by a digital health leaders’ dinner hosted by AWS.
• Friday 16 October (Sydney): A clinical implementation boardroom lunch with senior health-system, policy and industry leaders.

Professor Hill has led the NHS Genomic Medicine Service since its inception, building on her role heading the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project. She now oversees seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs, a National Genomic Test Directory and one of the most mature national genomics infrastructures in the world, offering direct, hard-won lessons for a jurisdictionally divided system like Australia’s.

Scaling Clinical Genomics: Lessons from the NHS for Australia

How can Australia turn the promise of genomics into better, more equitable care for patients?

Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England, will share lessons from taking the NHS’s landmark 100,000 Genomes Project into a nationwide genomic medicine service. Drawing on her experience leading this transformation, she will explore how genomics is improving diagnosis and informing more personalised treatment, particularly for people with cancer and rare diseases.

As Australia moves towards wider use of genomics in routine healthcare, Dame Sue will discuss the infrastructure and changes needed to deliver services at scale, the challenges still to be resolved, and what England’s experience can teach us about translating scientific advances into practical benefits for patients.

InGeNA’s Chief Executive noted that the visit lands at a pivotal moment for the sector, following the release of the National Health Genomics Policy Framework and Implementation Plan 2026–2030 on 15 September, after endorsement by Health Ministers. InGeNA contributed comprehensive feedback to the Framework, developed through consultation with members, patient advocates, researchers and clinicians as collective input that reflected a sector ready for a more ambitious shift toward prevention, prediction, earlier detection and personalised care.

“Australia now has stronger national direction for genomics. The real test is whether it changes what happens for patients: whether people can access the right genomic test at the right time, wherever they live, and have the result guide their care,” Dr Erin Evans said.

“That will require funded implementation, clear accountability, fit-for-purpose assessment and commissioning pathways, and genuine partnership with industry. Professor Hill’s visit could not come at a more relevant time as England’s experience of turning genomics policy into funded, operational infrastructure offers exactly the practical lessons Australia now needs as it moves from framework to delivery.”

Professor Dame Sue Hill DBE, Chief Scientific Officer for England and Senior Responsible Officer for Genomics, NHS England, said:

“I am looking forward to sharing the experience of building the NHS Genomic Medicine Service with Australia’s genomics community, including the parts that have been hard-won and are still evolving. I know Australia is approaching this challenge from a different starting point, and I hope our journey can help shape a system that works for Australian citizens at the same time as providing learning for the NHS from initiatives that have already been introduced in Australia.”

Professor Dame Sue Hill DBE is Chief Scientific Officer for England and Senior Responsible Officer for Genomics in the NHS. A respiratory scientist by background, she provides scientific leadership across the health system and professional leadership for the healthcare science workforce.

Dame Sue led the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project and the introduction of the nationwide NHS Genomic Medicine Service, helping bring genomic testing into routine patient care. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018 for services to the NHS and genomic medicine.

InGeNA is Australia’s united industry voice for the future of genomics, working to make personalised healthcare accessible to all Australians by harnessing the collective skills and expertise of industry to accelerate the adoption of genomics and precision medicine. InGeNA has recorded 113% membership growth and 75% income growth since incorporation, made 11 submissions to federal and state policy processes, and secured industry a direct and ongoing seat at the table with Genomics Australia and through their Advisory Council. More information: ingena.org.au.

InGeNA thanks the following organisations for their support of the visit: AstraZeneca (Platinum Sponsor); Oxford Nanopore Technologies and AWS (Gold Sponsors); TrakGene and Illumina (Silver Sponsors); Genomical and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (Bronze Sponsor).

A small number of sponsorship positions remain, including gold, silver and bronze tiers and event-specific alignment opportunities. Organisations interested in getting involved, including those not yet part of InGeNA, are welcome to contact InGeNA directly.

Dr Erin Evans
CEO, InGeNA
Email: ceo@ingena.org.au
Media & Press Kit: ingena.org.au/press/