The latest major update to the national genomic test directory (NGTD) is expected soon. In preparation for the digitisation of the national genomic test directory, this includes a significant reorganisation of tests for neurological and haematological cancers as well as changes for DPYD pharmacogenetic and urothelial cancer testing. Please always consult the current directory before ordering.
Urgent advice: Upcoming changes
The below changes are not finalised until publication of the updated NGTD by NHS England, expected during April 2026. We aim to provide efficient implementation when this happens. This post will be updated when the NGTD is published, including any further changes.
Access the national genomic test directory
Please review this information and NHS England published documents to ensure you are aware of any updates that may affect your practice. You may also wish to review our update on rare diseases, for information relevant to inherited cancer testing.
Digitising the national genomic test directory
In the upcoming national genomic test directory update, the new digitised NGTD being developed by NHS England will begin to be piloted in neurological and haematological cancers.
As part of the move, neurological cancers have been brought together with other tests into a new category referred to as central nervous system (CNS) cancers.
The digital NGTD is intended to improve, accelerate and simplify the process of test ordering and is a step towards a fully electronic test ordering process.
The migration includes a restructure of existing tests with individual genetic tests (GTs) being collected into clinically relevant test packages (TPs). This terminology will eventually replace the existing M and R clinical indication codes.
In the next NGTD update, CNS and haematological cancers will be presented in the NGTD using the new structure including in the existing downloadable file format (opens in a new tab).
Tests will also be viewable through a new digital directory website, which will run as a public beta for exploration and feedback purposes until October 2026. The tool should not yet be consulted when ordering tests.
The downloadable files for CNS and haematological cancers will be separate from the pre-existing cancer directory and include additional eligibility criteria documents providing more detailed guidance on selecting the appropriate tests for your patients.
Please consult the NGTD before ordering and state clearly on the order form why your patient is eligible for testing.
Please contact the national Test Evaluation team directly with questions about the new test structure.
Other cancer updates
We will share a further update on the below change to DPYD testing once the assay is live in our labs, expected during April 2026.
|
Cancer types |
Clinical indication ID |
Clinical indication |
Update |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cancer types DPYD |
Clinical indication ID Many |
Clinical indication DPYD testing for 5-flourouracil toxicity |
Update Adoption of a new test method to align with UK SACT Board guidance means reports will now include additional genetic variants with particular relevance to patient care in non-European populations. There is no change to ordering for these tests. |
|
Cancer types Urothelial cancer |
Clinical indication ID M217 |
Clinical indication Urothelial carcinoma |
Update Test M217.4 has been added. You do not need to order this test. Labs will run it automatically where further testing of FGFR3 is required. |
|
Cancer types Various |
Clinical indication ID Many |
Clinical indication Many |
Update Additional genes relevant to clinical trial eligibility that were not previously listed in the directory can now be viewed and are already included in our reports. Read our previous update on this topic. |
If you have any questions, please contact us.