What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that all hospitals in Wales are systematically testing all bowel cancer patients for Lynch syndrome at the point of diagnosis, in line with clinical guidelines?
The All Wales Medical Genetics Service is commissioned on behalf of health boards in Wales to provide lynch syndrome testing for those at highest risk.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) introduced a new diagnostic guideline in early 2017 recommending all bowel cancer patients are tested at diagnosis. Currently no health board is in a position to deliver this service. Initially it was thought this could continue to be delivered as a commissioned specialised service but given the numbers involved it is apparent that a different arrangement is required.
The Welsh Government has sought advice from the Wales Cancer Network’s colorectal cancer experts on the best way to implement the guideline. Initial discussions indicate greater efficiencies may be achieved by establishing an all-Wales service given the numbers of tests that are likely to be required.
Recommendations on implementation have now been received from the Wales Cancer Network. The Chief Scientific Adviser for Health will enter discussions on implementation with the health boards via the Pathology Network.