NHS North Thames Genomic Medicine Service

🆕 New role alert 🆕 The North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance have opened expressions of interest for a new role - Health Visitor Lead! This is a newly created position in recognition of the valuable role that health visitors play as part of the multidisciplinary team in primary and community care supporting patients and their families. Working 1 - 2 days a week, the post holder will raise awareness of genomics and support the implementation of national and regional transformation projects, including the Generation Study, ensuring the mainstreaming of genomics in the NHS. Find out more below 👇

1 week to go! There’s still time to book for our free virtual training on 31 July. Join us for an engaging session that will enhance your knowledge and confidence in the new ovarian cancer HRD testing protocols. Book now: https://re-url.uk/WI1V

“Whole Genome Sequencing pushes the boundaries of genetic analysis for cancer patients: identifies somatic and germline alterations in one test maximising the identification of the best possible targets for personalised treatment. Our team of knowledgeable, vibrant and enthusiastic scientists are excited to be part of this new development in genetic diagnostics and its integration into standard of care testing.” Recent research, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge, showed that whole genome sequencing can improve the management of care in real time for children with cancer and provides more benefits than all current tests combined. Through the Genomic Medicine Service, NHS England is one of the few health services in the world that has a national initiative offering universal genome sequencing to every child with suspected cancer. That sequencing is only possible because of the fantastic teams of scientists that work in labs like ours to make genomic testing in the NHS a reality. Read more about the study and the impact of whole genome sequencing 👇 https://lnkd.in/eZZgXnKZ

📣 Are you a health care professional that has sent a sample to our laboratory for analysis? 🧬🔬 Please help us improve our services by completing the survey below! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/edKrWNKg

🌟 Meet Claire Kirkby, our Lead Nurse for the sudden cardiac death (SCD) pathway. SCD is diagnosed when someone passes away unexpectedly, and comprehensive investigations identifies cardiomyopathy or aortopathy. If no underlying cardiac disease is found, sudden arrhythmic death syndrome is suspected. By improving how we identify families where SCD has occurred, offering them genomic testing, and monitoring and managing their condition, we will help reduce the risk of other family members experiencing SCD. Find out more about Claire's role below! ⬇

1 month to go! Our free virtual training on 31 July will help NHS colleagues to gain a comprehensive understanding of the recent changes in ovarian cancer HRD testing offered by the NTGLH. Find out more and book for free: https://re-url.uk/WI1V

Take a look at the programme for our Enhancing Pharmacogenetics Knowledge and Implementation Event on 26 September. Join us in London for discussions, workshops, networking and more. Book now for free: https://re-url.uk/WI1B

Take a look at the programme for our Enhancing Pharmacogenetics Knowledge and Implementation Event on 26 September. Join us in London for discussions, workshops, networking and more. Book now for free: https://re-url.uk/WI1B

Check out this fantastic summary from Great Ormond Street Hospital that shows just how far we've come to ensure children across the country can access whole genome sequencing 👇

“Having access to whole genome sequencing gave us some sense of reassurance, it could have informed us about targeted treatments and gave us some insight into future risk.”, Harri, Eddies Mum.    Eddie was six when he began to have regular low-grade fevers that seemed to affect him a lot. Even though early tests came back normal, the fevers became more frequent and his Mum, Harri, noticed that on one or two occasions he seemed out of breath while doing small things like reading a book.     A chest x-ray revealed a huge mass on Eddie’s chest, and he was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). As part of his treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust Eddie’s family were also offered whole genome sequencing to identify any cancer-causing changes.    “When we were offered whole genome sequencing, we didn’t even hesitate. I wanted to have all the information, I wanted to have some peace of mind for the future and know that Eddie was having the right care throughout. I also wanted to make sure that Eddie’s brother, Leo, wasn’t any more likely to get T-ALL because Eddie had.” Harri New research led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Cambridge that assessed the impact of using whole genome sequencing as part of standard children’s cancer care within the NHS. They found that it can improve the management of care in real time and provides more benefits than all current tests combined. Through the Genomic Medicine Service, NHS England is one of the few health services in the world that has a national initiative offering universal genome sequencing to every child with suspected cancer.  Dr Jack Bartram, senior author from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service, said:  “Childhood cancer treatment is mostly guided by genetic features of the tumour, and therefore an in-depth genetic understanding of cancer is crucial in guiding our practice. Our research shows that whole genome sequencing delivers tangible benefits above existing tests, providing better care for our patients. We hope this research really highlights why whole genome sequencing should delivered as part of routine clinical care to all children with suspected cancer.” Read more about Eddie and the study  👇 https://lnkd.in/eZZgXnKZ