Transforming Genomics interoperability for a unified healthcare future

Advancing the future of genomics in healthcare.

Client overview

Answer Digital has partnered with NHS-led initiatives to advance the future of genomics in healthcare. Genomics promises to revolutionise patient care by enabling personalised treatments and proactive disease prevention. However, the UK's genomic ecosystem faces significant challenges due to fragmented systems, regional disparities, and outdated processes. We are helping to address these issues by creating integrated, scalable, and secure solutions that enhance the ordering, accessibility, and use of genomic data nationwide.

The challenge

The UK’s genomic landscape comprises seven regional Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), each operating independently with unique processes, data requirements, and systems. This fragmentation creates significant barriers to standardising genomic operations and data-sharing, which are critical for improving patient outcomes and advancing research.

Key challenges include:

Paper-based ordering: Many test orders are reliant on manual, paper-based processes, which leads to delays, errors, and inefficiencies.

Disparate data systems: GLHs use varying data definitions, terminologies, and requirements for genomic testing, complicating national standardisation.

Lack of interoperability: Genomic test results and data are often siloed regionally, limiting research and clinical trial opportunities, and creating duplication in patient testing.

No unified record: Genomic records are often stored in fragmented systems, diminishing the ability to track and share data effectively across regions.

What we are working on

We are driving the national effort to modernise and unify genomic data processes through three key projects: Order Management, Digital Genomic Test Service and the Unified Genomic Record.

1. Order Management (OM)

Modernising paper-based processes: Developing a digital order management solution to replace paper-based workflows. The solution will enable ordering entities to submit test requests electronically and track the status of every test request, reducing delays, minimising errors, and streamlining the process across all regions.

Standardising data requirements: Addressing inconsistencies in data capture (e.g., ethnicity) to ensure all organisations operate to approved data standards, enabling interoperability.

Improving insights: Integrating tracking and analytic capabilities to provide actionable insights, such as testing volumes, regional demand, and operational bottlenecks.

2. Digital Genomic Test Service (DGTS)

Transitioning from static files to informatics database: Replacing the outdated Excel and PDF-based Test Directory with a richer, dynamic data model describing genomic tests; creating a single source of truth accessible online via a web app.

Enhancing governance: Implementing robust change management with a fully audited and version-controlled database, ensuring test information is accurate, reliable, and historically trackable.
Enabling automation: Exposing data via API to ensure test data can be consumed directly by digital ordering systems, removing manual intervention, reducing the risk of errors and allowing systems to access the most up-to-date test information seamlessly.

3. Unified Genomic Record (UGR)

Centralising data: Developing a Unified Genomic Record system to enable secure, centralised access to patient genomic data. Providing national, genomic data accessibility opportunities for direct care and research/clinical trial purposes.

Personalising medicine: Centralising genomic data enables its integration into patient care pathways, such as testing for drug efficacy/adverse events, and predictive analysis for inherited conditions.

Accelerating research: Centralising genomic data enables cross-region data sharing to effectively match patients to clinical trials and research cohorts for genomic-based treatments.

Results and our impact

Our contributions have laid the groundwork for transformative progress across the UK’s genomic infrastructure. Whilst we are still in the early stages and have a long journey ahead, we are already seeing promising results, from streamlined processes to enhanced interoperability.

Key impacts to date:

Streamlining processes: The digital ordering solution will replace inefficient, bloated paper workflows, reducing delays, errors, and administrative burdens across regions.

Enhancing interoperability: The standardisation of genomic data will enable seamless access and sharing across the genomics medicine service, whilst remaining consistent and scalable.

Improving direct care: The Unified Genomic Record solution will provide clinicians access to informative patient data to deliver more accurate diagnoses, tailored treatments, and proactive care.

Reducing resource burdens: Reducing the duplication of genomic tests and the streamlining of workflows translates to significant resource savings for the NHS which ultimately improves patient outcomes.

Improving research capabilities: The Unified Genomic Record solution will provide researchers with valuable access to genomic data, supporting groundbreaking medical advancements.

Looking ahead

This programme will continue throughout 2025, with Answer playing a pivotal role in advancing genomic capabilities across the NHS. Future phases will focus on expanding functionality, refining data governance, and embedding genomic insights into routine healthcare delivery.

By addressing complex challenges with innovative solutions, we are helping build a world-class genomic infrastructure which accelerates medical innovation and improves patient outcomes.

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