The NHS is trialling a groundbreaking 15-minute blood test that could transform emergency care for children by rapidly distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections, helping doctors diagnose life-threatening conditions like sepsis and meningitis faster.
Funded by NHS England, the trial is taking place at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital in London, and Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle. The test, known as MeMed BV, is being evaluated for its ability to support faster clinical decisions in emergency departments.
Currently, blood tests must be sent to a lab, taking hours to confirm the type of infection. In the meantime, children may receive antibiotics unnecessarily or face delays in treatment. The new test delivers results in just 15 minutes, allowing clinicians to begin treatment sooner, avoid unnecessary antibiotics and improve patient outcomes
Doctors have already reported success stories, including faster treatment for children with meningococcal meningitis and sepsis.
National Clinical Director for Children and Young People at NHS England, Professor Simon Kenny, commented:
“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 focused 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 is led by the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast, with funding from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare, which supports the adoption of innovative technologies in the NHS.
The trial comes as the NHS prepares for what could be its busiest winter on record, with emergency departments and ambulance services under increasing pressure. The health service is also:
- Identifying vulnerable patients for targeted care and vaccinations
- Improving hospital discharge coordination
- Expanding access to shared care records for ambulance services
The MeMed BV trial runs until March 2026, and is one of several initiatives aimed at speeding up diagnosis, reducing pressure on A&Es, and enhancing patient care.
Image credit: iStock
