Genetics: Screening

(asked on 25th April 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase (a) access and (b) referral rates for genetic services.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 2nd May 2019

Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project and existing genetic services, NHS England announced in October 2018 that over the next 18 months, work to mobilise the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) would get underway, providing consistent and equitable care for the country’s 55 million population.

Investment for genomics was included as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, setting out commitments over the next five years to:

- Sequence 500,000 whole genomes by 2023/24, as part of a Government commitment to sequence 1 million whole genomes;

- Extend the use of molecular diagnostic testing and routine offering whole genome sequencing to seriously ill children who are likely to have a rare genetic disorder, children with cancer, and adults suffering from certain rare conditions or specific cancers;

- Link and correlate genomics, clinical data and data from patients, providing routes to new treatments, diagnostic patterns and information to help patients make informed decisions about their care; and

- Increase the number of people identified with familial hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol) from 7% to 25% over the next five years.

The NHS Genomic Medicine Service will be supported by an informatics system that is being developed in partnership with Genomics England. When fully operational, the informatics system will enable NHS England to monitor the number of genomic tests being carried out across the country and benchmark activity.

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