The fourth instalment of the Moving Forward Infection Diagnostics event series recently took place at Nexus Leeds, drawing leading voices from across the healthcare and diagnostics sectors for a day of collaboration, insight, and innovation.
Organised by Dr Kerrie Davies MBE and Dr Jane Freeman from NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection research theme, the event was co-sponsored by NHS England BIVDA (British In Vitro Diagnostics Association) and ABHI (the Association of British HealthTech Industries), and focused on addressing one of healthcare’s most urgent challenges: the adoption and implementation of infection diagnostic tests to help antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We were privileged to be joined by Vanessa Carter, AMR survivor and Executive Director of The AMR Narrative, who delivered the compelling keynote address. Sharing her personal journey, Vanessa underscored the life-altering impact of resistant infections and the importance of patient-centred advocacy in shaping future diagnostics and policies.
Delegates welcomed expertise and support from distinguished guests including Angela Douglas MBE, President of BIVDA, and Nishan Sunthares, Executive Director of Diagnostics at ABHI.
The event also heard insightful presentations from Dr Ian Butler of Barts Health NHS Trust, reflecting on the use of 16S rRNA sequencing in diagnosis, and Dr Iain Miller of Presymptom Health considering the MHRA Innovative Device Access Pathway (IDAP) and market access in the UK. We were also delighted to hear via video-link from Professor Alastair Hay from University of Bristol about the case for adoption of diagnostics in Primary Care.
There was a lively industry panel discussion Q&A on best practice for adoption, with delegates from organisations including, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, Abbott, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Nonacus.
With discussions spanning the latest technological developments and real-world implementation challenges, the event served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and strategic alignment in the fight against AMR.
Organisers have already announced the theme for the next session in the series, which will delve into the funding landscape for infection diagnostics, an area seen as critical to sustaining innovation and delivering long-term impact.