NHS North West Genomic Laboratory Hub

NHS England Commissioned Genomic Testing

Genomic testing is commissioned by NHS England and enables eligible patients to access tests as specified in the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD).

Eligibility criteria for each test are published and regularly reviewed to ensure alignment with best practice recommendations.

Tests should only be requested where:

• the patient meets eligibility criteria, and
• the result is highly likely to inform clinical management for the patient and/or their family.

Clinical management may include:

• guiding diagnostic investigations
• informing therapeutic treatment decisions or strategies
• enrolling patients into nationally approved surveillance programmes
• supporting and informing reproductive choices

To support appropriate use of test capacity, please ensure that information on eligibility and clinical utility is included when submitting requests.

Updates to test request forms

The rare disease genetic test request form has been updated to assist with provision of relevant information.  Electronic request forms (including EPIC) are also being amended to reflect these requirements.

Where eligibility or clinical utility is not clear, the NHS North West Genomic Laboratory Hub (NW GLH) may need to contact requesters for additional details. This can potentially delay processing.

To ensure that patients continue to benefit from genomic testing in the current context of increased NHS financial pressures, it is important that we all to work together to maximise benefits for patients.

This means taking care to ensure the right tests are arranged for the right patients, first time.

When making genomic test referrals, please consider the following:

Check the latest version of the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD) to ensure your patient is eligible for testing. An expert team regularly update the NGTD so please always consult the latest version before making a referral.

The Rare and Inherited Disease Test Directory has its own Eligibility Criteria which sets out which patients should be considered for testing under each indication.

Visit the NHS NW GLH website for guidance on requesting genomic tests, sample requirements, and the correct forms to use.

• Use the current test order form – available on the website
• Include the appropriate test code(s) from the NGTD to help us to process your referrals more efficiently.
• Provide complete and accurate relevant clinical information - this is crucial for result interpretation
• Include sufficient clinical details to demonstrate patient eligibility for testing
• Please state clinical utility of test

Please be aware that the NW GLH are commissioned only to deliver tests for patients that are eligible as detailed in the NGTD. 

Links

North West Genomic Laboratory Hub (NW GLH) – referral forms and contact details

https://mft.nhs.uk/nwglh/documents/test-request-forms/

NW GLH website - information including referral forms and contact information https://mft.nhs.uk/nwglh/

National Genomic Test Directory and eligibility criteria https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/

Genomic Education Programme - Genomic notes for clinicians https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/about-us/genotes-genomic-notes-for-clinicians/