West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory
About the laboratory
The West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory (WMRGL) is the largest genomics facility in the UK and lead provider for one of the seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLH) in England, the Central and South Genomic Laboratory Hub (C&S GLH).
The C&S GLH is hosted by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC) and serves 11 million people across a large geography. Working in partnership with four major acute Trusts and their Local Genomic Laboratories (LGLs) the GLH covers the West Midlands, Oxford and Wessex areas. The C&S GLH is commissioned by NHS England for the provision of all genomic testing for the geography. The GLH is also part of the Central and South Genomic Medicine Alliance (C&S GMSA) working in close collaboration with broad range of medical specialities including Clinical Genetics, Nursing and Midwifery, Pharmacy as well as associated universities, charities, patient groups and industry to continue to develop and innovate the appliance of genomics for patients. Please see the Central South Genomics website for further information.
The C & S GLH aims to provide equitable access to genomic testing for patients within our geography and beyond.
WMRGL is a UKAS ISO 15189:2012 accredited laboratory.
The laboratory is aligned with patient pathways with two overarching clinical programs:
- Rare Disease and Reproductive Genomics
- Cancer Genomics
The National Genomics Directory for Rare Disease and Cancer can be found here
Quick links
Referral Forms and Sample Requirements
- Diagnostic Rare Disease referral form [pdf] 384KB
- Solid Cancer Genomics referral form[pdf] 147KB
- Haematological Cancer (MIRHO) referral form [pdf] 673KB
- Please check our Criteria for accepting a sample [pdf] 18KB to ensure all necessary information is included.
- Whole Genome Sequencing for Rare Disease referral form[pdf] 1MB
- Whole Genome Sequencing for Cancer referral form[pdf] 1MB
-
Blood sample form for germline Whole Genome Sequencing Cancer testing for blood samples to be sent for germline testing for Cancer Whole Genome Sequencing. Please note blood samples for germline testing can be sent separately to the above Whole Genome Sequencing Cancer referral form (forms and samples for blood and tissue do not need to be sent to genetics laboratory together).
- Whole Genome Sequencing Record of Discussion form[pdf] 1MB
- Whole Genome Sequencing Consultee Declaration form.pdf [pdf] 184KB only required instead of Record of Discussion form where patient lacks capacity or is deceased
Laboratory Opening Times
Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
Samples received outside these hours may be temporarily stored at ambient temperature.
Usual office hours for telephone enquiries are 09:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday. An answer phone operates outside these times.
Contact us
West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory
Birmingham Women’s Hospital
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
B15 2TG
For general enquiries: BWC.genetics.lab@nhs.net
Telephone: 0121 335 8036