Genomic Laboratory Hubs
Genomic testing in the NHS is provided through a national testing network consisting of seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), each responsible for co-ordinating services for a particular part of England.
Introduction
In October 2018, NHS England announced the launch of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, providing consistent and equitable access to genomic testing for NHS patients across England. Alongside this, it announced a new infrastructure for genomic testing.
Under the new system, all NHS genomic testing in England is co-ordinated through seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), each delivering services to a particular region (see figure 1). The GLHs work in collaboration with the seven regional Genomic Medicine Service Alliances (GMSAs), who deliver the clinical care of patients receiving genomic testing.
Figure 1: The NHS Genomic Medicine Service regions.
Lead Trusts
The GLH/GMSAs and their lead Trusts are as follows.
| GLH/GMSA | Lead Trust |
|---|---|
| Central and South GLH and GMSA | Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust |
| East GLH and GMSA | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| North East and Yorkshire GLH and GMSA | The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| North Thames GLH and GMSA | Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust |
| North West GLH and GMSA | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust |
| South East GLH and GMSA | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust |
| South West GLH and GMSA | North Bristol NHS Trust |
How to find your GLH
NHS Trust-affiliated healthcare professionals can locate their associated GLH, GMSA and clinical genetics service, as well as contact details, via our searchable Knowledge Hub resource, Clinical genetics service map.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own infrastructures supporting genomic testing. For more information on this, including how to request genomic testing, see our dedicated Knowledge Hub resource, Genomic testing in the devolved nations.
Key messages
- There are seven GLHs, each delivering services to a particular region.
- The GLHs provide NHS genetic testing in England.
- Each GLH is aligned to a GMSA that delivers the clinical care of patients receiving genomic testing.
Resources
Resources for clinicians
- NHS England: Genomic Laboratory Hubs