The Regional Genomic Practitioner Service
Comprehensive genomic sequencing offers patients with cancer the possibility of receiving a more precise diagnosis at the start of their treatment pathway. This can provide prognostic information and guide faster access to precision treatments or surgical intervention. Knowledge of a patients complete genomic profile helps to avoid drug toxicities and enables access to molecularly stratified clinical trials. Equally important, it may also identify at risk family members who may be eligible for risk stratification and cancer prevention strategies.
Over the next ten years, the NHS plans to routinely offer genomic testing to all people with cancer for whom it would be of clinical benefit. It is expected that most future cancer therapies will be targeted to tumours based on specific genomic and other biomarkers.
Pathways will need to be modified to enable the collection of biopsies for cancer genomics early in the diagnosis pathway. The timely return of genomic test results will inform clinical care and decision making.
Furthermore, genomics has the potential to impact national screening programmes by informing personalised screening strategies in the ‘healthy population’.
Adoption of genomics into cancer care needs a clinical workforce with understanding of how and where genomic testing fits into current clinical pathways and how to use it.
The Genomic Clinical Practitioners are working across the East of England Cancer Alliances geography to deliver the genomics agenda. The Genomic Clinical Practitioners will work with the three Genomic Medical Service Alliances (The East GMSA, The North Thames GMSA and Central and South GMSA) and their associated Genomic Laboratory Hubs (East GLH, North Thames GLH and Central and South GLH) that map into the East of England Cancer Alliance Geography, ensuring that relationships are built with the Medical Genetics Services that align to all localities. The service will facilitate, support and engage with primary and secondary care colleagues to develop pathways and embed genomic testing and/or advice for all service users in cancer care.
Contact the Regional Genomic Clinical Practitioner Service on:
cpicb.eoegenomicsteam@nhs.net
All emails will be directed to the correct practitioner for your area.
Website under developement. Content to follow.
Join the thousands of healthcare staff using the QGenome app
Clinicians across the East Midlands and East of England can now have genomic referral, risk assessment and testing guidance in the palm of their hand, thanks to an NHSE-funded app called QGenome. The app, which can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices (with a web-based version also available) is based on national guidelines including NHS England’s National Genomic Test Directory. The app currently supports clinicians in the areas of cancer, cardiology, renal, prenatal and primary care. Some feedback from clinicians currently using the app includes:
- “Incredibly useful. Feels like I have a Genetic Counsellor on my shoulder.”
- “For someone new to genomics it has been invaluable in understanding eligibility pathways and has improved my knowledge and ability to speak to patients about their concerns.”
- “User friendly. Great educational and clinical decision support tool.”
You can find out more, including how to download the app on the QGenome website.
To watch a demo of the app by Dr Anju Kulkarni (one of the creators), please click here.
To access October 2024 webinar recording click here.