Rapid testing for bacterial infections is being expanded across Wales as part of a new two‑year pilot project designed to deliver near‑immediate diagnostic results in community settings. The initiative aims to ensure more people can access healthcare closer to home while improving antibiotic prescribing and tackling antimicrobial resistance.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that community pharmacies and GP surgeries across all seven health board areas will begin using upgraded diagnostic equipment originally purchased during the pandemic. The machines have now been repurposed to detect multiple bacterial infections without the need to send samples to laboratory facilities.
The scheme is being supported through £734,000 of Welsh Government funding and an additional £500,000 from the INEOS Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research. Oxford University will conduct an independent evaluation to assess the programme’s impact on prescribing behaviour, patient outcomes and value for money.
More than 300 community pharmacies and GP practices have already expressed interest in taking part in the pilot, highlighting strong local engagement with efforts to modernise primary care diagnostics.
The Point of Care Testing in Primary Care pilot will initially focus on C‑Reactive Protein testing. CRP tests help clinicians distinguish between bacterial and viral infections, enabling more accurate and targeted antibiotic prescribing.
By giving clinicians rapid results, the project seeks to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, support earlier treatment for those who need it and contribute to the wider fight against antimicrobial resistance, recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the world’s most serious public health threats.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles commented:
“This is a unique opportunity for Wales to lead the way in embedding high-quality diagnostic testing in primary and community care.
“By bringing testing closer to where people live, we can improve health outcomes, reduce pressure on hospital services, and ensure more appropriate use of antibiotics.”
As part of the evaluation, researchers at Oxford University will also develop machine learning models to identify patients who may be at increased risk of adverse outcomes. These models aim to support safer clinical decision‑making and enhance the long‑term effectiveness of community‑based diagnostic services.
The initiative forms part of the Welsh Government’s broader ambition to strengthen local healthcare provision and reduce pressure on hospitals. By providing near‑instant testing closer to where people live, the pilot seeks to improve patient convenience, reduce waiting times and help ensure antibiotics remain effective for future generations.
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