Yorkshire to set up new Genomic Medicine Centre
Yorkshire and Humber is to play a key role in the development of personalised medicine through the establishment of a new NHS Genomic Medicine Centre. NHS England say the region has been given approval to set up the centre as part of the national 100,000 Genome Project The project involves looking at the genomes of patients with certain rare diseases and patients with certain cancers.
By comparing the genomes from lots of people, the NHS Genomic Medicine Centre (NHS GMC) will help to give a better understanding of the diseases, how they develop and which treatments may provide the greatest help to future patients. The successful bid for the Yorkshire and Humber NHS GMC was led by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
It was supported by the other 11 acute trusts in the region along with the Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network and our major Universities. Simon Morritt, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children’s and Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber NHS GMC Partnership Board, said: “Getting approval for a Yorkshire and Humber centre is fantastic news for our region. By working together, we will be helping to transform healthcare not only in the region but around the world. “Genomic medicine is an opportunity to turn the scientific discoveries about DNA and how it works into active steps to improve the lives of future patients and identify lifesaving and life improving treatments. “Yorkshire and Humber already has some of the world’s most advanced and respected genetics services and has extensive experience with clinical and academic research, so we are delighted to build on that expertise with our new Genomic Medicine Centre.” The new centre is expected to launch in January next year.