Rachel Belk

Genetic Counsellor and NIHR Research Fellow
E mail: rachel.belk@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 276 8979

Rachel joined Nowgen in October 2007 to work on research leading to a doctorate. She has been a genetic counsellor working in a clinical genetic service since 1996. For the last five years, she has specialised in deafness and particularly in working towards improved communication and access to the genetic counselling service for people who are deaf or have any level of hearing loss.

Rachel’s research has developed from her interest in Deaf language and culture: she is looking at genetic and medical information in British Sign Language and how language and translation issues overcome or add to the barriers that Deaf people have in accessing medical services. The project explores these complexities from Deaf user and service delivery perspectives. It will also create new tools in BSL to improve understanding, and the results will be used to improve the quality of services and provide educational resources for health service and teaching professionals.