NHS England have today announced new funding for specific projects that will further progress the use, knowledge and implementation of genomic medicine across the NHS.

Eight new projects have been announced today, known as Genomic Networks of Excellence. In the South East, we are delighted to have been successful for three of these networks:
• Severe presentation of infectious disease network
• Improving the identification & outcomes for people with inherited and acquired cardiovascular disease
• Genomics Artificial Intelligence
We will also contribute to the circulating tumour biomarker network, the haemato-oncology network and the Rare Disease network.

Infectious Disease Network
This network, in partnership with Central & South Genomics, will see the expansion of the highly successful pilot undertaken by Guys & St. Thomas’s Hospital in London. The pilot has trialled rapid genetic testing for patients with suspected respiratory infectious diseases and has enabled these people to get faster and more accurate treatment. This new funding will enable multiple hospitals, and their patients, to benefit over the next two years.
Early results from Guys & St. Thomas’s Hospital indicate that rapid genetic testing of respiratory pathogens can help improve treatment in almost half of patients. It is intended that this work will help track the spread of respiratory diseases and help prevent new outbreaks.

Cardiovascular Disease Network
25% of all deaths in the UK are attributed to cardiovascular heart disease making it the leading cause of death worldwide. Early detection of people who have a high genetic risk of cardiovascular disease would prevent many premature deaths including sudden cardiac death which happens more often in young people and children. The aim of this Network, in partnership with North Thames Genomic Medicine Service is to identify people who are at risk of both inherited and acquired cardiovascular disease using genomic testing in combination with detailed clinical assessment. Once identified, these people can benefit from lifesaving treatment. This Network will pilot a range of approaches to understand how best to achieve this aim.

Artificial Intelligence Network
Artificial Intelligence combined with genomics offers exciting opportunities to speed up diagnoses, further personalise treatments and release valuable staff time. This Network, in partnership with Central & South Genomics, will build a national community focused on the use of AI in genomics and deliver some exemplar programmes which aim to better identify individuals with genomic conditions. The purpose is to support the deployment of AI to benefit patients.

Patients will be actively involved in all of our Networks.

For the full list of the new Networks of Excellence click here.