Building the Foundations for Genomics: Through the Interoperability Lens

Co-authored with the Data and Digital Genomic Network, this white paper brings together practical insights from Future Perfect Healthcare, Harris Health Alliance and OncoDNA, alongside NHS experience and national programme context, to explore what it really takes to build interoperability into genomic medicine.

From shared information models and structured genomic data to patient identity, provenance, laboratory workflows and national integration, the report examines the technical and organisational foundations needed to ensure genomic information can move reliably across systems, organisations and clinical pathways - and remain usable as services evolve.

In this report:

• Why the genomic information model should be defined before selecting the application

• Practical lessons for delivering interoperability incrementally and proving interfaces before scaling

• How identity, provenance and structured genomic data support future reuse and reinterpretation

• Why NHS organisations need internal capability to configure and evolve their systems

• How local integration can align with national genomic services and standards

• The role of collaboration across clinical, laboratory, digital, supplier and commissioning teams

~30-35 min read (circa 7,000 words)

Download here