In 2025 the NT GMS worked in collaboration with NHS England to complete the first phase of the National Genomic Order Management System. The ultimate goal of the project is to establish a digital ordering system for genomic testing in England that would make genomic test ordering safer, smarter, and more joined-up across the NHS.
The “alpha phase”, led by the North Thames region, was a multi-site, multi-disciplinary effort to explore the practicalities of implementing a system like this. Delivered in partnership with teams across North Thames – Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and national stakeholders.
Our NT GMS Informatics Director, Narda Ramrattan-Dass, shared her reflections on the project in Summer 2025.
In June, we reached a quiet but significant milestone with the completion of the Alpha phase of the National Genomic Order Management System.
The Alpha phase was never just about software; it was about understanding real-world complexity — from clinical workflows to data flows — local teams working together to design a digital service that reflects the reality of genomic medicine.
During Alpha, we prototyped user journeys, mapped operational processes, and surfaced insights to inform the delivery stages. We tested early versions of the system with clinical and lab teams, listened to feedback, and refined our understanding of what good really looks like. Through this, we built momentum and relationships that will carry us forward.
For the delivery teams across North Thames, this phase reaffirmed how powerful collaboration can be. From IT and genomics colleagues to programme teams and operational leads, every partner brought curiosity and clarity to the table.
We are proud to have been involved in the delivery across sites, aligning technical thinking, and contributing to shaping a strategy rooted in safety, usability, and people.
Now, as we move into the transition phase, we are focusing on:
- Aligning technical delivery with operational priorities
- Preparing teams for future implementation
We’re also continuing to centre inclusion, interoperability, and patient impact — grounding every decision in the real lives and services this system will touch.
