An innovative 15-minute blood test that can fast-track diagnosis of potentially life-threatening conditions in children is being trialled by the NHS this winter.
NHS England has funded the trial at three hospitals — Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (Liverpool), St Mary’s Hospital (London) and Great North Children’s Hospital (Newcastle) — to see whether rapid testing can help clinicians make faster decisions in emergency departments. The test, MeMed BV, distinguishes viral from bacterial infections in about 15 minutes, giving doctors earlier information than conventional laboratory tests, which can take hours.
Faster results could mean quicker, more targeted treatment, reduced unnecessary use of antibiotics and better use of clinical resources. Clinicians taking part report real benefits already, including faster treatment for a child with meningococcal meningitis and prompt antibiotic treatment for a child with sepsis.
Professor Simon Kenny, National Clinical Director for Children and Young People at NHS England, said innovations like the 15-minute test speed up diagnosis, allow focused treatment and free up resources when the NHS is busiest. Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton said the trial could be transformative, helping doctors make faster, more accurate decisions when every second counts.
The study is led by the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast and is funded through NHS England’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare programme, which aims to accelerate adoption of innovations into healthcare.
Professor Enitan Carrol, Professor of Paediatric Infection at the University of Liverpool and project lead, said many children come to hospital with fever and that the test can quickly distinguish minor viral illnesses from more serious infections. The study is assessing whether this definitive test helps clinicians make faster decisions and reduces unnecessary antibiotic use.
Dr Charlotte Durand, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Alder Hey, said the innovation can make a vital difference in the Emergency Department and could have a major impact on paediatric emergency care. Dr Emma Lim, Consultant Paediatrician at the Great North Children’s Hospital, said a quick, reliable test would reduce uncertainty for clinicians and parents and lower unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.
The NHS is preparing for another pressured winter, with 2025 currently on track to be the busiest on record for A&E and ambulance services. Local NHS leaders have tested winter plans, identified patients most vulnerable to winter viruses for targeted care and vaccinations, and are working with local authority and social care teams to speed discharges when demand peaks. Around half of ambulance services now have access to shared care records so paramedics and clinicians can view a patient’s medical history in the field.
The MeMed BV trial runs until March next year and is one of several projects funded through SBRI Healthcare to speed up the adoption of innovative technology in the NHS.
