The College has provided comments on the draft service specification for the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS). 

The letter sets out detailed feedback on the draft service specification, drawing on member expertise across pathology disciplines. It outlines evidence on the impact of service configuration on turnaround times, access, quality, cost, and research activity, and highlights areas where the current proposals may not fully support these priorities.

Professor Sarah Coupland, College Registrar: 

“The College welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft service specification produced by the NHSE Genomic Medicine Service. Pathology is pivotal in the delivery of genomic medicine. We believe future delivery must focus on timely provision of test results, equity of access, quality of service, cost efficiencies and support for clinical trials and national research initiatives.  

Whilst there are benefits to some centralisation of services, a broad portfolio of testing strategies is in the best interests of the patients' genomic medicine serves. We don’t believe that the necessary balance is adequately represented in the current service specification and so we are advocating for this to be addressed.” 

The College proposes constructive engagement with NHSE and partners to ensure the final service specification achieves a balanced, evidence-based, and patient-focused Genomic Medicine Service.