NHS trialling rapid blood test to help diagnose sepsis and meningitis in children

The NHS is trialling a rapid blood test to help diagnose life-threatening conditions in children.

The 15-minute blood test can speed up the diagnosis of illnesses such as sepsis or meningitis by telling medical practitioners whether a patient is suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.

Instead of relying on regular blood test results, which can take several hours and require lab analysis, the test can rapidly indicate whether a patient has a bacterial infection that could benefit from immediate antibiotics.

Doctors who participated in the trial say they have witnessed the benefits. In one case, a child with meningococcal meningitis received treatment much more quickly, and another with sepsis started antibiotics straight away.

NHS England has funded a trial of the technology in three emergency departments: at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool, St Mary’s hospital in London and Great North children’s hospital in Newcastle.

Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief medical officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, told the PA news agency the test could save lives.

He said: “A recent national publication suggested that, among the deaths of approximately 500 children each year where infection was present, care was suboptimal in 40% of cases.

“Making the right decision around early antimicrobial prescribing in children who need antibiotics the most has potential to save dozens of young lives every year.”

Read full story (paywalled)

Source: The Guardian, 27 October 2025

Related reading on the hub:

• Seeking better sepsis awareness in Wales (a film by Corinne and Laurence Cope)
• Top picks: 11 resources about sepsis
• Dr Ron Daniels: Recognising sepsis