Informatics Solutions in NHS Genomic Medicine Centres

The NHS Genomic Medicine Centres (NHS GMCs) work with a range of NHS organisations to enhance the recruitment of eligible participants to the 100,000 Genomes Project. There are currently 13 NHS GMCs across England, all of which utilise a range of genetics information systems to assist them in their role. A variety of informatic solutions are used for data collection, management and reporting.

To improve efficiency, several NHS GMCs have worked hard to integrate their genetics information systems either with each other or with other patient information systems within the NHS to improve data sharing and reduce data entry workloads. On the 14th March 2017 an NHS GMC Networking Event was held and included a summary of informatics solutions in the NHS Genomic Medicine Centres.

It is really positive to see a range of information systems and technologies being used to enhance various aspects of the patient journey in Genetics Services. Information systems are being deployed for use in clinical genetics to enhance data collection, in laboratories to collect sample data and integrated with wider NHS systems to improve interoperability. As support is given to Genetics Services to improve recruitment of patients to the 100,000 Genomes Project, it is further pleasing to see developments in capturing patient consents and electronic referring and reporting of this data to Genomics England.

We were delighted that our work with both the South West NHS GMC and Wessex NHS GMC were mentioned in their publication that accompanied the networking event. We have been working with both GMCs to improve data capture, pedigree chart drawing and the integration of TrakGene with other information systems using HL7 interfaces. Working with these GMCs has allowed us to further streamline data collect and reduces the workload on genetics services of data entry. It has also been exciting to explore new reporting mechanisms to speed up referrals of patients to the 100,000 Genomes Project once the appropriate patient consents have been obtained.