The latest major update to the national genomic test directory (NGTD) has been published. 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.
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
The update includes a new structure for haematological and neurological cancers, which is being piloted ahead of a move to a digital NGTD being developed by NHS England.
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 update, CNS and haematological cancers are using the new structure, including in the existing downloadable file format (opens in a new tab).
Tests will soon also be viewable through a new digital directory website, which will run as a public beta for exploration and feedback purposes only until October 2026. The tool should not yet be consulted when ordering tests.
The downloadable files for CNS and haematological cancers are now 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 Paediatric cancer |
Clinical indication ID M153 |
Clinical indication Nodular Brain Tumour - Paediatric |
Update Clinical indication removed. |
|
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 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.