Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is one of eight London hospitals involved in the initial deployment of the COVID Nudge test, a rapid, accurate, portable test that delivers results on the spot, at the point of need and in only 90 minutes.

This transformative, single-chip multiplex test has been created by the DnaNudge team by adapting DnaNudge’s ground-breaking in-store DNA testing service. The test eliminates false negative results by testing for inadequate swabbing. Trials comparing COVID Nudge against NHS laboratory results indicated 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Dr Gary Davies, Hospital Medical Director of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which is using the test in Chelsea and Westminster’s A&E and elective surgery departments, said: “We are very excited to be working with DnaNudge, which is a genuine game changer and at the forefront of testing innovation. The Trust is pioneering the decentralisation of rapid and accurate point-of-need testing, with DnaNudge a critical component of that strategy.

“We are already using COVID Nudge in areas such as A&E and elective surgery, where speed of testing has the most impact for patients. The opportunity to have this highly accurate test – without the need for a laboratory – is helping us to provide the highest quality care for our patients and support for our staff. This test offers the best chance of tackling the biggest challenge that the NHS has ever faced, particularly now as we look ahead to the winter flu season.”

Dr Gary Davies continues: “As an organisation, we have transformed the way we care for patients in response to the pandemic and have rapidly introduced a range of innovations, digital systems and platforms into day-to-day functioning. The early use of the COVID Nudge test is another example of our commitment to and culture of innovation.”

The technology builds on a series of innovations developed by Professor Christofer Toumazou and his team at Imperial College London’s Department of Electrical Engineering and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. The UK government has placed a £161 million order with DnaNudge to supply the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with 5.8 million rapid COVID Nudge test kits, for use in NHS hospitals across the UK from October.

Early use of the COVID Nudge test is just one example of our commitment to and culture of innovation. Find out more about how we’re transforming staff and patient experience with innovative healthcare solutions through our CW Innovation programme.