Where will the funding for the genome project expansion come from?
In a speech to the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock announced an expansion of the 100,000 genomes project.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the new NHS genomic medicine service, which aims to roll out access to genomic testing.
Mr Hancock said he had a ‘long-term vision’ to sequence 5m genomes over the next five years and wanted to make the service available to all on the NHS, including those with rare cancers and seriously ill children.
Funding for the project is expected to come from the NHS long-term plan settlement and the charity UK Biobank, which has a separate funding stream.
Further information
CCHQ Press: Matt Hancock speech to Conservative Party conference 2018
Genomics England: The 100,000 genomes project
HSJ: Hancock: Genomics project to sequence one million genomes