You/your child has been referred to the genomes team to organise a whole genome sequencing (WGS) test. We have booked you in for a telephone appointment to discuss this test in more detail and to give you the opportunity to ask questions. During this appointment, if you are happy to proceed with the test, we can complete a record of discussion (consent) form over the telephone.

WGS testing will not go ahead until consent has been received for each person involved in the test.

What to expect in your appointment

A member of the genomes team (genomic practitioner or clinical nurse specialist) will call you at the time of your appointment to discuss the WGS test. The telephone appointment will last around 20 minutes.

This will involve a discussion about the WGS test in more detail and the option to hear information about the National Genomic Research Library, which is an optional part of the WGS test.

This test sometimes includes samples from parents of a patient. Where this is the case, we would please request to speak with both parents at this telephone appointment. If it will not be possible to attend together or you have any questions about this, please let us know as soon as possible.

If there is anything we can do to make this appointment more accessible for you, such as a video appointment or if you require an interpreter, please contact us to let us know.

Information resources

Please see the information leaflets and a video link below to give you more information about the WGS test and the National Genomic Research Library. The record of discussion (consent form) is also attached, you do not need to complete this yourself as this can be completed remotely after your telephone appointment.

We would encourage you to read and/or watch these in advance of your appointment.

WGS information leaflet on the NHS England website
WGS easy-read information leaflet on the NHS England website
Record of discussion (consent) form on the NHS England website
National genomic research library information (optional)
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) in the NHS: An introduction to the clinical conversation for WGS video - see below:

If you require translated or large-font versions of these information leaflets, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

If you need to rearrange or cancel this appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

Contact the genomes team

Call us on 023 8120 5899, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Email wgswessexgenomics@uhs.nhs.uk

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to go ahead with this testing?

When should I have my blood sample taken?

You need a specific blood request form to have your WGS blood sample taken. This may have been given to you already by your/your child’s clinician. If you already have a blood request form (called ‘genomic medicine service rare disease test referral form’), you can have your blood sample taken before or after our appointment at your local hospital. If you have the blood sample taken before the telephone appointment, the laboratory will store the sample until after your appointment with us and you have given consent for testing.

If you have not received a blood request form, please wait until your appointment with the genomes team. We will then send you a blood request form.

We recommend you have your blood test taken at your local hospital phlebotomy service. This can be discussed further in your telephone appointment.

I have had genetic testing in the past, do I need another blood test?

Do I have to decide whether to proceed with the WGS at this appointment?

Whole genome sequencing service

What to expect in your appointment

Information resources

Contact the genomes team

Frequently asked questions