Child

Kathryn Ashcroft

Genetic Counsellor and ICC Coordinator

Area of expertise

Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions and Congenital Cardiology

Biography

Trained in Leeds qualified as an SRN and RSCN in 1978, worked on Paediatric Cardiac Ward at Killingbeck as a staff nurse and senior sister until 1990. I took a year out to do my Midwifery training in Nottingham in 1980 -81.

After leaving Killingbeck I then trained as a Health Visitor at Huddersfield University and worked in Birstall for a year.

In 1992 I went to work and train as a Genetic Nurse Specialist in Newcastle at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman hospital where my special interest was Cardiac Genetics as well as generic and prenatal genetic counselling.

I returned to Leeds in 1994 and came to work as a genetic Counsellor for the Yorkshire Regional Genetics service; I worked both in Prenatal and Generic genetic clinics. I then was involved in the setting up of the cardiac genetics clinic in 1995 with the Paed Cardiologist and Consultant geneticist.

In 2004 I was seconded for 3 years to work with the Newcastle Centre for Life to undertake a national BHF funded research project looking at congenital heart conditions. I also at this time undertook the exam to become a registered Genetic Counsellor.

In 2007 the Inherited Cardiovascular conditions service was developed in Leeds and I became the Coordinator. I continue in this role but also work as a genetic counsellor within the service.

Specialist interests within your profession

I am on the Council of the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions a role I was elected to undertake when the Association was established.
I also have a continued interest in Congenital Cardiology and the educational and development of the specialist services.