To ensure that patients continue to benefit from genomic testing in the current context of increased NHS financial pressures, it is important for us all to work together to maximise benefits for patients.
This means taking care to ensure the right tests are run for the right patients, first time. Every test request received by our genomic laboratories should be appropriate, with patient eligibility checked and confirmed, using the correct test form completed with all relevant clinical information.
When making genomic test referrals, we ask you to please consider the following:
- Check the latest version of the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD) (opens in a new tab) 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.
- See our website for guidance on requesting genomic tests, sample requirements, and the correct forms to use. We have specific guidance for requesting Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
- Provide complete and accurate relevant clinical information that we will use to select the most appropriate and efficient test approach.
- Include the appropriate test code(s) from the NGTD to help us to process your referrals more efficiently.
To support you in this, we will be doing the following:
- Continuing to provide updates on our website for the Cancer test directory and the Rare and Inherited test directory. To be notified of updates via email please complete this form (opens in a new tab).
- Offering online sessions on making genetic test referrals - to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. If you would be interested in attending a session please register your interest here (opens in a new tab).
- Introducing modifications to our referral forms to provide space for you to detail how patients meet the eligibility criteria. These will be required to ensure testing proceeds efficiently
- Working with our Genomics Communities of Practice (CoP) Leads to explore and understand referral challenges within specialisms so that we can collaborate to address them. You can find out more about which areas our CoPs cover, and how to join them, on our Genomics CoPs web pages.
Please be aware that we are commissioned only to deliver tests for patients that are eligible as detailed in the NGTD.
We cannot accept referrals for testing where a patient does not specifically meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the NGTD so it is critical to demonstrate patient eligibility when referring patients. If you have sent a test that does not demonstrate eligibility you will receive notification from the laboratory that DNA has been extracted and stored. Testing will only be actioned once eligibility is confirmed.
Guidance on making effective referrals is available on our website. You may also find our Little Book of Genomic Testing resource useful.
Thank you for continuing to work with us to ensure that eligible patients receive genomic testing that helps to guide and inform their care.
