The Scottish Genomic Test Advisory Group for Rare and Inherited Disease (SG-TAG) is an SSNGM group established to ensure that decisions relating to the approval of rare and inherited disease genomic tests in NHS Scotland are reasonable, transparent, justifiable, and support a “Once for Scotland ” approach. The SG-TAG Rare and Inherited Disease group make recommendations to NSD and the SSNGM on the clinical validity and utility of new genomic rare and inherited tests for potential future implementation in Scotland.
NHS Scotland clinicians and scientists can submit requests for new rare and inherited genomic tests through the SG-TAG process. For more information please email NSS.GenomicsNetwork@nhs.scot. For information on new cancer test request process see our SG-TAG Cancer page.
Important update regarding changes to the Scottish Genomic Test Advisory Groups
The Scottish Genomics Test Advisory Groups (SG-TAG) were established to support the evaluation of new or changes to genomic tests for cancer and rare and inherited disease required for implementation into NHS Scotland.
In September 2024, the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine (SSNGM) Steering Group approved an interim change to the SG-TAG process due to the existing financial constraints on NHS services in Scotland.
A new interim process has been established and will be implemented from Monday the 14th October 2024. This new process will streamline the submission for gathering the requirements for new or changes genomic tests for patients in Scotland. New submissions will be regularly reviewed by the SSNGM horizon scanning group for consideration of next steps, but a full SG-TAG evaluation will not take place at this time.
The SSNGM is committed to working with our Scottish Government genomics policy and our National Services Directorate (NSD) commissioning colleagues to identify new sources of funding for genomic tests. We will communicate further updates regarding this and SG-TAG in due course.
In the meantime, we would like to thank all our colleagues across Scotland for their work and on-going support for SG-TAG and the SSNGM. If you would like to submit a request for a new genomic test using the new interim process, please contact our network team on NSS.genomicsnetwork@nhs.scot to obtain the appropriate form.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.