This month, Maureen Ng'etich (pic above) joins #TeamIronOverload from the University of Swansea on a 3-month internship to undertake research into the impact that genetic screening has on families at risk of GH.

Whether or not to screen for a condition remains a controversial topic in medicine. Some clinicians believe firmly that population screening is inappropriate as it might concern or worry participants who in practice have little or no risk of the condition being screened for.

The UK National Screening Committee determined in June 2021 that there was insufficient evidence that HFE screening in adults would be effective. Yet our own screening programmes in Derry-Londonderry and Carrickfergus have been well supported by local communities and our cascade screening service has exceeded our expectations - helping almost 1,000 families in its first 9 months.

Maureen will be applying innovative health data research techniques to help throw more light on these issues and more.