Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on Monday, 29 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Cancer: Genomics

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what infrastructure is in place to ensure delivery of the National Cancer Plan for England’s commitment to provide a genomic test to all patients who would benefit from it.

Answer

The National Health Service has a national infrastructure in place to deliver genomic testing through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (NHS GMS), including a national network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (NHS GLHs). These hubs deliver testing as set out in the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 200 cancer clinical indications, including whole genome sequencing and other genomic tests.

The National Cancer Plan commits to ensuring that all cancer patients who would benefit receive a genomic test within a clinically relevant timeframe. Delivery of this ambition will be supported through the continued expansion and integration of the NHS GMS across cancer pathways.

As set out in the plan, over the next five years the service will extend circulating tumour DNA and other biomarker testing to additional cancers. The scope of testing will continue to be reviewed, with additional biomarker tests brought into routine use where clinically appropriate and cost effective.

NHS England has also undertaken procurement for NHS GMS Lead Providers from 2026 to support a new delivery model and strengthen genomic testing capacity. In addition, the NHS Genomics Education Programme is supporting workforce planning to ensure the NHS has the capacity and skills required to deliver genomic medicine.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1417
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Cancer Screening Genomics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk