February 16, 2026 - 202 views
Rapid testing for bacterial infections is being introduced in community pharmacies and GP surgeries across Wales as part of a new two-year pilot scheme aimed at improving access to care and tackling antibiotic resistance.
The Point of Care Testing (POCT) in Primary Care project will provide near-immediate results without the need to send samples to laboratories, allowing clinicians to make quicker and more informed decisions about prescribing antibiotics.
More than 300 community pharmacies and GP practices across all seven health board areas — including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales — have expressed interest in taking part.
The £1.2 million project is being funded by the Welsh Government and the INEOS Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, with Oxford University carrying out an independent evaluation.
Initially, the pilot will focus on C-Reactive Protein (CRP) testing. CRP levels can help clinicians determine whether an infection is likely to be bacterial, helping to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
Antimicrobial resistance has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the most serious global public health threats. Overprescribing antibiotics contributes to bacteria becoming resistant, making infections harder to treat.
The diagnostic equipment being used in the pilot was originally purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been upgraded and repurposed for use in community settings.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the scheme represents an opportunity for Wales to lead the way in embedding high-quality diagnostic testing in primary and community care.
He said bringing testing closer to where people live will improve health outcomes, reduce pressure on hospitals and ensure antibiotics are used more appropriately.
Professor John Geen, clinical lead for clinical biochemistry and point-of-care testing services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said the study would examine how rapid testing influences clinical decision-making in cases such as respiratory infections.
If successful, the pilot could see rapid diagnostic testing become a routine part of care in GP practices and pharmacies across Wales, further strengthening healthcare provision closer to home.
