Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms are in place to identify and reassess patients previously considered ineligible for hereditary cancer genetic testing when clinical guidance, family history or genetic knowledge changes.

NHS England is responsible for commissioning the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) in England. The NHS GMS delivers genomic testing for over 7,000 rare diseases and 200 cancers. Genomic testing for a range of inherited cancers is available on the National Genomic Test Directory (the Test Directory).

Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them, including in circumstances where information about their family history has changed. Their healthcare professional will then review the latest clinical guidance and make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the Test Directory eligibility criteria.

A robust and evidence-based process and policy is in place to routinely review the Test Directory and ensure that genomic testing continues to reflect the latest scientific evidence and is available for all patients for whom it would be of clinical benefit, while delivering value for money for the National Health Service.