The South West genomic Laboratory Hub is committed to providing a service of the highest quality.
Information on accreditation, quality assurance including turn around times, user feedback and complaints procedures can be accessed below
Accreditation
Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) and Exeter Genetics Laboratory (EGL) are UKAS accredited medical laboratories numbers 9307 and 8092. UKAS assesses against the International Standard for medical laboratories, BS EN ISO15189:2012. Further information on accreditation is available via the UKAS website.
Details of activities that are currently provided under the scope of accreditation can be found at:
- EGL Schedule of Accreditation - link to follow
In certain circumstances laboratory tests will be performed outside the scope of accreditation. This may arise when new services are introduced, for which UKAS accreditation is yet to be awarded. Application for extension to the laboratory scope will be submitted, however, whilst accreditation is pending the test continues to be performed to the same rigorous internal quality control standards and protocols as accredited tests. It should be noted that elements of the Whole Genome Sequencing service are undertaken by an external provider and are, therefore, provided outside the laboratory’s UKAS scope of accreditation.Methods that are currently pending accreditation are as follows:
| Activity | Comments |
|---|---|
| DNA / RNA extraction from FFPE, and RNA extraction from blood using the Maxwell RSC 48 |
New instrumentation and methodology. Extension to UKAS accredited scope currently in progress. |
|
Genotyping using Loop-mediated isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and Melt-Curve Analysis |
New methodology. Extension to UKAS accredited scope currently in progress. |
|
Assessment of copy number alteration (CNA) profiles using SNP microarray |
New methodology. Extension to UKAS accredited scope currently in progress. |
| Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system, Biomek i7 instrumentation and DNAnexus hosted bioinformatics pipelines (TSO500 assay) |
New instrumentation and methodologies. Extension to UKAS accredited scope currently in progress. |
| Automated slide staining and washing for Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation (FISH) using the Abbott VIP2000 processing unit |
New instrumentation. Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation pending submission. |
| DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours using MethylationEPIC Array |
New processes. Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation pending submission. |
| Solid Tumours Salvage Pathway testing for common actionable variants using Agena MassARRAY analysis |
New methodology. Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation pending submission. |
| Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Roche solid tumour panel |
New panel. Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation pending submission. |
| Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Roche haemato-oncology panel |
New panel. Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation pending submission. |
External Quality Assessment
Turnaround Times
The SWGLH is working towards 90% compliance with national reporting time guidelines stated in the table below:
Cancer Genomic Turnaround Times
Below are the turnaround times (TAT) for the Cancer Genomic Services at the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SWGLH). Cancer Genomic Services for the SW GLH are delivered from the Bristol Genetics Laboratory. Unless otherwise stated TAT is measured in calendar days from the date of sample receipt at Bristol Genetics to the point at which a result is returned to the requestor.
Further information on requesting a test can be found at SWGLH Sample and Test Information.
Solid Tumour Genomics
Please contact nbn-tr.SWGLHcancer@nhs.net for further information.
| Category | Sub-category | NHSE Target TAT (Days) | Compliance with Target | Average TAT (Days) [Dec '22 - Mar '23] | Current TAT (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Cancer Panel (DNA) | 21 | 100% | 11 | 11 | |
| Lung Cancer Panel | 21 | 100% | 11 | 11 | |
| Cancer Fusion Panel (RNA) | 21 | 83% | 19 | 19 | |
| DPYD | 3 | 100% | 1 | 1 | |
| Targeted analysis (e.g. MGMT methylation, BRAF V600E) | 14 | 89% | 8 | 7 | |
| BRAF (V600E) targeted analysis | 14 | 100% | 5 | 6 | |
| ctDNA testing (EGFR) | 14 | 100% | 6 | 5 | |
| FISH | 14 | 100% | 10 | 11 |
Haematological Malignancy Genomics
Please contact Haem Duty Scientist nbn-tr.haematooncology@nhs.net for further information.
| Category | NHSE Target TAT (Days) | Compliance with Target | Average TAT (Days) [Dec '22 - Mar '22] | Current TAT (days) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very-Urgent haemato-oncology e.g. inv(16),t(8;21), PML-RARA, BCR-ABL1 | 3 | 77% | 2 | 1 | |
| Urgent molecular haematology e.g. FLT3 | 14 | 100% | 3 | 3 | |
| Urgent Karyotype | 14 | 75% | 9 | 9 | |
| AML Karyotype | 14 | 90% | 8 | 9 | |
|
Urgent FISH |
14 | 93% | 8 | 8 | |
| Routine Karyotype | 21 | 23% | 25 | 25 | |
| Routine FISH | 21 | 79% | 14 | 12 | |
| Routine Molecular Haematology e.g. JAK2 V617F | 14 | 78% | 11 | 10 | |
| BCR-ABL1 monitoring | 14 | 82% | 12 | 8 | |
| Large Cancer Panel (DNA) | 21 | 59% | 20 | 18 | |
| AML Panel | 21 | 83% | 17 | 27 | |
| CLL NGS Panel (TP53) | 21 | 83% | 17 | 17 |
User Feedback
As the SWGLH , we strive to fulfil the requirements of all our service users and conduct regular user surveys. We are always happy to receive comments and feedback from our service users, please use the contact details below . This drives continual improvement and ensures that our service meets the needs of both referrers and patients.
If you would like to provide feedback please email us mailto: nbn-tr.geneticsenquiries@nhs.net
Complaints
We would like to assure our service users that complaints are taken very seriously and are fully investigated. The SWGLH laboratories respond to complaints in line with their respective Trust complaints policies and procedures. Further information can be found via the links below:
This page was last updated 02/02/2023
Whole Genome Sequence request need advice?
If you require further information regarding genomic testing please contact the laboratory
Tel:0117 4146168 or mailto:nbn-tr.bglexportscientist@nhs.net
If you require support for navigating the pathway including completion of paperwork please contact the Genomic Healthcare Practitioners
email rduh.swgenomicpractitioner@nhs.net