An innovative 15-minute blood test which can fast-track the
diagnosis of children with potentially life-threatening
conditions is being trialled by the NHS this winter.
The hi-tech blood test can distinguish between bacterial or viral
infections much more quickly than traditional tests – so serious
diseases like sepsis or meningitis can be picked up sooner.
NHS England has funded a trial of the technology in three
hospitals, with doctors saying it could make a “vital difference”
to the care of children.
If a child arrives at hospital with a fever, clinicians need to
determine whether it's a sign of a more minor illness or a
life-threatening condition.
Currently, the most likely type of infection can only be
confirmed by a blood test which then needs to be analysed by a
lab – which can take a few hours. In the meantime, children may
be given antibiotics or other treatment until a full diagnosis
can be made, which takes time and resources, or they may
initially be diagnosed with a minor illness.
The new faster blood test only takes 15 minutes to show whether
an infection is viral or bacterial – giving doctors more rapid
information and cutting the time to diagnose illnesses, meaning
patients can be treated more quickly and preventing them from
being given antibiotics that may not be needed.
Now, NHS England is funding a trial of the test on children being
treated at emergency departments in Alder Hey Children's NHS
Foundation Trust, St Mary's Hospital in London and Great North
Children's Hospital in Newcastle to see whether rapid tests like
this can help doctors and nurses make faster decisions.
Doctors taking part say they have already seen the benefits of
the test, including in a child with meningococcal meningitis who
could be treated much more quickly as a result and a child with
sepsis who could start antibiotics straight away.
Professor Simon Kenny, National Clinical Director for Children
and Young People at NHS England, said:
“Quick diagnosis is crucial in ensuring patients get the most
effective treatment, particularly for children who may have a
potentially life-threatening illness.
“Innovations like the 15-minute blood test speed up diagnosis and
allow focussed treatment, as well as freeing up resources to
treat more patients, so it's great we're able to trial the test
this winter when the NHS is at its busiest.
“These pilots are a crucial step in testing new technology so
that innovations with the most impact can be rolled out to
further improve care for more NHS patients.”
The study looking at the MeMed BV test is being led by the
University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast
with funding provided through NHS England's Small Business
Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare, which aims to speed-up
adoption of innovations into healthcare.
Professor Enitan Carrol, Professor of Paediatric Infection at the
University of Liverpool, who is leading the project,
said:
“Many of the children who come to hospital have a fever and this
test can quickly distinguish between a minor viral illness like a
cold, or a more serious infection.
“Our study is investigating whether this definitive test for a
bacterial or viral infection will be useful in helping doctors
make faster decisions and reducing the use of unnecessary
antibiotics – all of which is better for patients and the
NHS.”
Dr Charlotte Durand, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, said:
“We have seen first-hand how this innovation can make a vital
difference to children in the Emergency Department.
“We're delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking study and
hope to help ensure this test is brought into standard clinical
practice – it could have a massive impact on the emergency care
of paediatric patients.”
Dr Emma Lim, Consultant Paediatrician at the Great North
Children's Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, said:
“Every year, thousands of worried parents bring their children
with fever to hospital.
“Often, it turns out to be nothing serious — but it's hard to
know in the moment. A quick and reliable test like this can help
doctors make faster decisions, and reduce the need for
unnecessary antibiotics, which is better for patients, parents,
and the NHS.”
The health service is predicting another pressured winter, with
2025 currently on track to be the busiest on record for A&Es
and ambulance services.
To prepare, local NHS leaders have tested their bespoke winter
plans as well as identifying patients most vulnerable to winter
viruses and at risk of a hospital admission, so they can be given
targeted care and vaccinations.
The NHS is also working closely with local authority and social
care teams so more people can be discharged from hospital when
demand for care peaks. In addition, half of all ambulance
services also now have access to shared care records, allowing
paramedics and other clinicians to access a patient's full
medical history wherever they are.
The project looking into the 15-minute blood test runs until
March next year. It is one of several funded through the Small
Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare programme to speed
up the use of innovative technology.
