News and stories

All of the latest news and updates from Genetic Alliance UK can be found below. This includes the release of our latest reports and findings, as well as pieces that our member organisations have requested that we share.

 

We also share stories, images and experiences from those living with genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. Individuals affected by these conditions are at the heart of everything that we do and we want to champion these communities by amplifying their voices, individually and collectively. 

 

If you’d like to have your story included on our website then get in touch.

Government announcement about NHS England

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Today, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced that NHS England will be reintegrated into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This decision is aimed at improving service delivery. Read the full press release from the DHSC.

illustration of a document with the UK on it. A magnifying glass zooms in on England

England Action Plan launched

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Minister Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, spoke to attendees at the Rare Disease Day Westminster reception yesterday, providing a preview of the 2025 England Rare Diseases Action Plan, launched today. In her speech the minister praised Genetic Alliance UK and our members for the role we’ve taken to inform this plan. So what’s new?

Me and My ITP

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Anthony was diagnosed with ITP in July 2006. In 2024 he realised that the rare auto immune disorder has taken up 28 per cent of his life.

Apparently it was all in my head

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Tammy went through lots of tests and people telling her that symptoms were psychological before she finally got her diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Elle’s story

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Elle has been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Elhers Danlos type 3 and Gastroesophageal reflux disease. However this hasn't stopped her achieving her goals.

Chapman Shum’s story

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Chapman was born blind, has speech difficulties, learning struggles, and symptoms of autism. Despite these hurdles and the absence of a clear diagnosis, he managed to become a talented pianist, winning awards at a competition in Taiwan.

Meet Becca and Elliot

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Becca's son, Elliot, has been diagnosed with multiple things since he was bor. From a quadricuspid pulmonary valve, and ventricular septal defect after birth. To sensory processing disorder, speech delay and ADHD tendencies and anxiety, all of which led to challenging behaviour but no formal diagnosis

George’s Mast Cell Activation Syndrome story

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In 2019 George began to feel unwell with constant infections, fatigue and gut symptoms which led to a glandular fever diagnosis. And finally an MCAS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome diagnosis.

Jess’s story

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In May 2021, Grant's life changed forever. Sadly, during an emergency c-section his sister, Jess, passed away. He wants Jess’s story to help others, in the hope no one experiences what his family went through.