Scaling Genomic Tooling
Scaling GEN-O with the North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance
The client: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and a leader in genomic medicine.
MFT developed GEN-O, a groundbreaking tool that has revolutionised genomic data management, leading to faster diagnoses and improved care for patients with rare diseases.
The North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (NW GMSA) sought to scale GEN-O across NHS Trusts in the North West to expand these benefits.
Multi-point system expansion
Although GEN-O had proven successful within MFT, scaling it to multiple trusts presented challenges.
The platform needed to function across different health systems, support new clinical pathways, and maintain high standards of clinical safety and data security.
Additionally, there was a need to reduce administrative burdens, increase the accessibility of genomic information, and expand the platform to new areas such as neurology and paediatrics.
Stringent data security and compliance requirements
Partnering with NW GMSA, we supported the GEN-O scaling project. Our team conducted feasibility studies at Salford Royal and Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trusts to identify clinical pain points and develop practical solutions for scaling GEN-O across multiple sites.
Working closely with clinicians, we translated these needs into a tailored, scalable approach that could be applied across various NHS Trusts.
We next implemented robust information governance processes, ensuring GEN-O met the stringent data security and compliance requirements of each trust. And also introduced a ‘review and approve’ cycle, which ensured clinical safety and minimised disruptions to patient care during rollout.
Improving administration efficiency in the NHA
Trials of GEN-O are currently underway at selected sites, focusing on scaling its use in neurological and paediatric pathways.
The platform has also supported clinical trials in pharmacogenomics, part of the NHS PROGRESS programme, which seeks to establish the feasibility of an NHS-wide diagnostic service for genetic responses to medications.
Key developments in the project include:
- Scaling GEN-O: Expanding the platform to multiple NHS Trusts, including Alder Hey and Salford Royal, as part of the Northern Care Alliance.
- Expanded Pathways: Adding neurology and paediatric pathways to GEN-O, with plans to integrate cancer functionality.
- API Development: Creating an Application Programming Interface (API) to enable seamless data sharing across systems and geographic boundaries.
- Administrative Efficiency: Reducing administrative time by up to 70%, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care.
- Data Standardisation: Ensuring standardised data processes across the North West to improve treatment decisions and facilitate collaboration.
- Integration with Genomics England: Integrating data from the Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Portal, providing a comprehensive genomic record for patients.
Setting a precedent for the future of genomic medicine
GEN-O has proven to be a scalable, transformative tool that improves care pathways for rare disease patients by enabling faster diagnoses and enhanced collaboration across clinical specialisms.
By standardising genomic data processes and reducing administrative workloads, GEN-O is improving efficiency and patient outcomes across the North West.
Ongoing trials and further integration work will enable the platform to extend its reach and functionality, with the goal of creating a national genomic data platform that benefits patients throughout the UK. GEN-O’s success has shown that scalable genomic solutions can dramatically enhance patient care, setting a precedent for the future of genomic medicine.
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