Partnership NHS Innovation Award presented for Faecal Immunology Test Service

Alpha Laboratories, working as industry partner alongside researchers at a University Health Board in Wales were delighted to have been voted the winner in the ‘Partnership with the NHS’ category of the MediWales Innovation Awards 2021.

The award was presented for the work conducted with the Clinical Biochemistry team at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in Merthyr Tydfil, which led to the successful implementation of a quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) service and the associated clinical pathways.

The symptomatic FIT test helps to identify patients who may have significant colorectal disease and who might benefit from an urgent referral, thus reducing waiting times for priority cases as well as saving on resources.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FIT has also been included in secondary care pathways to help support waiting list management and triaging of patients. As part of the process the company has also supported the production of patient packs to facilitate ease-of-use for patients and efficient logistics. During the project patient feedback was collected to ensure the packs were appropriate and encouraged compliance and correct use of test.

Alpha Laboratories has now delivered ongoing support for the rollout of this service across several other health boards.

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