We’re part of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, a network of seven regional Genomic Medicine Services, each responsible for coordinating and delivering genomic testing for a particular part of the country.
We are based at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Partner trusts for C&S Genomics are University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. We serve a broad geography, covering the West Midlands, Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley, and Wessex: over 40 NHS trusts in total.
Alongside our partners in the other six regions, we are delivering the national Genomics Strategy (2022-2027).
This strategy sets out four priority areas:
- Embedding genomics across the NHS, through a world leading innovative service model from primary and community care through to specialist and tertiary care
- Delivering equitable genomic testing for improved outcomes in cancer, rare, inherited and common diseases and in enabling precision medicine and reducing adverse drug reactions
- Enabling genomics to be at the forefront of the data and digital revolution, ensuring genomic data can be interpreted and informed by other diagnostic and clinical data
- Evolving the service through cutting-edge science, research and innovation to ensure that patients can benefit from rapid implementation of advances
We deliver this through a number of services.
Genomic Testing
Our Genomic Laboratories provide and coordinate a wide range of genomic tests across our region.
Our lead laboratory is hosted by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, working in partnership with Local Genomic Laboratories (LGLs) in Birmingham, Oxford, and Wessex. We provide all genomic testing, as set out in the National Genomic Test Directory, across the Central and South region.
We provide and coordinate tests, within agreed turnaround times, for:
- Rare and inherited diseases
- Cancer
- Haematological malignancies.
Clinical referrals must be made for samples to be accepted by the laboratories.
Embedding and mainstreaming genomics
As well as providing genomic testing services across our region, we work to embed genomics into routine care across the country, ensuring equity of access and providing faster diagnoses and more effective, personalised treatment for patients. We do this through:
- Education and training
- Supporting research and innovation
- Establishing standardised testing pathways
- Understanding the unmet needs of patients and people across our geography
Clinical Genetics
Clinical Genetics is a multidisciplinary medical specialty comprised of clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, specialist nurses, research officers and administrative staff.
Clinical Genetics teams work together to diagnose genetic conditions within families and help patients to understand and adapt to their condition. Once an initial genetic diagnosis is made in an individual, members of their family can be seen by Clinical Genetics to assess their risk of inheriting the condition.
Within C&S Genomics, we have three regional Clinical Genetics services, located in the West Midlands, Oxford and Wessex.