Community diagnostics report from IBMS and Abbott sets out considerations to get the NHS back on its feet

"Community Diagnostics: Scaling Point-of-Care Testing for Patient-Centred Outcomes" provides a POCT roadmap for the new government, healthcare organisations and primary care providers 

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Abbott are launching a joint report drawn from a recent high-level roundtable with key stakeholders in healthcare. "Community Diagnostics: Scaling Point-of-Care Testing for Patient-Centred Outcomes," outlines strategic recommendations for integrating Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) across the NHS to revitalise primary healthcare systems.

POCT brings care closer to patients, streamlines care pathways, and improves health outcomes by enabling rapid diagnostic results at the point of patient interaction. The report emphasises POCT's potential to facilitate early diagnosis, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and support antimicrobial stewardship.

Given the pressing need for enhanced healthcare delivery as part of the NHS's recovery plan under the new government, this report provides timely guidance on deploying POCT effectively within primary care settings. It outlines key recommendations for policymakers, healthcare organisations, and primary care providers, focusing on integrating POCT into clinical workflows and ensuring its alignment with national health priorities.

Key Recommendations Include:

1. For Policymakers:
• Develop a comprehensive national POCT strategy within NHS England that includes clear leadership, defined goals, and integration into national health policies.
• Revise commissioning and tariff structures to incentivise the appropriate use of POCT, linking incentives to demonstrated clinical and economic benefits.
2. For Healthcare Organisations and Systems:
• Implement integrated POCT strategies at the Integrated Care System (ICS) level that address local needs while aligning with the national strategy.
• Invest in workforce training and robust governance frameworks to ensure quality and consistency in POCT application.
3. For Primary Care Providers:

• Engage in continuous professional development to maintain competency in POCT utilisation.
• Tailor POCT use to individual patient needs, ensuring patient-centred care and effective resource utilisation.

Future Directions:

The report also outlines future directions for expanding POCT applications, including chronic disease management and preventive care, and leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to enhance POCT's efficiency and accuracy.

IBMS Chief Executive David Wells commented:

"This report is a foundation stone for future strategic discussions on community diagnostics within the NHS. By adopting the outlined recommendations, we can ensure that POCT contributes effectively to a more responsive and patient-centred healthcare system."

Jude Smith, Country Manager UK & Ireland, Cardiometabolic, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics commented:

"We’re pleased to partner with such a key stakeholder as IBMS on this work. At a time when the new Government and the NHS are setting out their priorities, this valuable and practical report highlights the importance of bringing care closer to the patient. Alongside the clinical evaluation of signs and symptoms, ensuring healthcare professionals are given access to tools like rapid POCT can make such a difference to health in our communities.”

The full report is available here and has been distributed to all relevant stakeholders across the government, media, healthcare and diagnostics sectors.