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A poster, summarising how a single-use rapid point of care test is being used in Calderdale’s acute respiratory infection (ARI) hubs along with patient feedback, won the ‘Most Patient Centred’ poster category at this year’s Primary Respiratory Society (PCRS) annual conference. The event is the UK’s leading respiratory conference for clinicians working in primary, community and integrated care.

Dr David Linden, Respiratory and CVD Workstream Lead at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said:

“It was a pleasure for Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber to support this important work coming out of Calderdale, which showcased the growing acceptance of point-of-care testing in ensuring the right medication is prescribed. This initiative also contributes to the national effort to understand how these tests can help tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”

Feedback from the PCRS patient reference group involved in the judging process said: “This poster was beautifully laid out and easy to read, not just in terms of the clear aims, methods and results but also because of the very accessible use of plain language. The thing that really set this poster apart from the others was that it really emphasised the patient voice, using survey results and direct quotes from patients to convey how they really felt about the test, including from those that weren’t entirely impressed!”

The winning poster by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board in Calderdale, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Pennine GP Alliance describes how the finger pin-prick blood test determines if a patient has a viral or bacterial infection within 10 minutes, and the experience of care received by patients.

A rapid point of care test supports clinical decision making, reducing re-consultation rates and A&E attendances as well as unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions- one of the main causes of antimicrobial resistance.

This is not the first-time Calderdale’s rapid point of care testing for respiratory infections has been recognised on a national level. The work was showcased at the UK Health Security Agency Conference 2025 and also shortlisted for ‘Medicine, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year’ at the 2024 HSJ Awards. NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber are now working on a larger rapid point of care testing study across the region.

All of us have the power and opportunity to make a difference to the future of antibiotics. This can come from small changes we make in how we use antibiotics, understanding the issue of antibiotic resistance and what it might mean.

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