The NHS is trialling a rapid 15-minute blood test this winter that can quickly distinguish bacterial from viral infections in children, aiming to speed diagnosis of potentially life-threatening conditions such as sepsis and meningitis. The pilot, funded by NHS England and running until March, will take place at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital in London and Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle as the health service prepares for a predicted busy winter.

What the test does and why it matters

The MeMed BV test produces results in around 15 minutes, providing clinicians with near-immediate information on whether an infection is bacterial or viral. Current standard practice relies on laboratory blood tests that can take several hours, during which time clinicians must decide whether to start antibiotics or wait for confirmation. Faster differentiation aims to ensure children with serious infections are treated promptly while reducing unnecessary antibiotic use for viral illnesses, conserving resources and helping combat antimicrobial resistance.