A LIFE-saving scheme which has been helping to battle meningitis in Bolton has been shortlisted for a national award.

The Royal Bolton Hospital has been shortlisted in the prestigious Health Service Journal Value in Healthcare Awards for fast tracking test results for the infection within an hour.

The initiative has been made possible by a evolutionary piece of equipment, the BioFire Film Array, and means patients not only receive treatment sooner, if needs be, but also piece of mind for them and their families.

Dr Pradeep Subudhi, Consultant Microbiologist at the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Infections of the central nervous system such as meningitis and encephalitis need urgent and appropriate treatment.

"We can now get results of these tests in around an hour.

"We can inform the clinicians of a positive result allowing targeted therapy and reassurance to the patients and families.

"Just as important is the reporting of negative results which may enable treatment withdrawal and possibly a shorter hospital stay."

Most other available laboratory methods for diagnosis of bacterial meningitis can take from 24 to 48 hours, and three to seven days for viral meningitis or encephalitis.

The progress in Bolton has been made thanks to children’s health charity MedEquip4Kids, who used a major donation of £44,000 from Simplyhealth to buy the BioFire Film Array for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust back in April.

Verification of the new test showed an immediate, positive impact on patients in the last 10 months, the hospital has reported, with appropriate treatment starting sooner and unnecessary therapy no longer needed.

It also improved patient 'flow' through the emergency departments was improved and the length of hospital stay was reduced.

The project has been shortlisted in the category Improving the Value of Diagnostic Services and the winner will be announced in London in May.