In the future an increasing number of prescribing decisions will be informed by genomic testing. Find out more about the NHS's new strategy for genomics here.
The NHS 10 – Year Health Plan aims to imbed genomic medicine into routine care. There are dramatic advances being made in the field of genomic medicine and these increasingly have an impact in primary care. As the gateway to the NHS, primary care practitioners are vital to the early identification of genomics issues and to ensuring appropriate management and quality of care – often throughout a person’s lifetime.
Click in the link below for more details:
Genomics in Primary Care - Genomics Education Programme
The UK Direct-to-consumer genomic testing (DTC-GT) position statement (September 2025) states that there is considerable variation in the quality and validity of DTC-GT and healthcare professionals should exercise caution if asked to interpret such results or to use them as part of clinical decision making.
The statement makes 3 key recommendations:
1. Healthcare professionals should not take at face value, or attempt to interpret, reports from non-accredited laboratories or third-party interpretation services (see full statement for details).
2. Patients presenting with DTC-GT results to healthcare professionals should be offered the same NHS care as those who have not had DTC-GT.
3. DTC-GT results should not affect access to treatment(s) that are not commissioned for that indication within the NHS.
Click here to read full position statement: https://bsgm.org.uk/media/12844/direct-to-consumer-genomic-testing-joint-position-statement-2025.pdf
The use of genomics to inform medicines optimisation is becoming more widespread across healthcare and pharmacy teams are increasingly encountering genomics in their daily practice.
It is critical that all pharmacy professionals have an awareness of genomics and understand its relevance to medicines, so that they can use genomic information as appropriate within their roles, advise patients and signpost when required.
Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians:
- CPPE Introduction to genomics in pharmacy
- Medicines Learning Portal - Pharmacogenomics
- Genomics in Pharmacy - Genomics Education Programme
- RPS Pharmacogenomics homepage
- BOPA Genomic Medicine Specialist Interest Group
- UKCPA Genomics Community
Doctors:
Nurses:
Allied HCPs:
General:
Genomic testing in the NHS is being provided through a national testing network, consolidating and enhancing the existing laboratory provision. This will create a world class genomic testing resource for the NHS and underpin the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and deliver on our commitments as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
The national genomic testing service is delivered through a network of 7 Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), each responsible for coordinating services for a particular part of the country. The GLH for Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB contains 11 ICBs and is called Central and South Genomic Laboratory Hub led by Birmingham Women’s and Children NHS Foundation Trust.
