East of England paramedics shortlisted for award with innovative home testing
Ambulance service praised for bringing hospital tests to patients' homes
Advanced paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) are revolutionising urgent care delivery by conducting hospital-level tests in patients' homes.
The Advanced Practice Team has been recognised by being shortlisted for the ‘Hospital to Community Award’ at the Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards 2026, scheduled for 3rd July.
Their initiative focuses on Point of Care Testing (POCT), which allows patients to undergo crucial blood tests without hospital visits, enhancing efficiency and personalized care.
Utilising portable LumiraDx devices, the paramedics can assess infections, blood clots, and heart problems directly at patients’ homes.
The expertise they bring enables swift decision-making and minimizes the need for hospital journeys, vital for older and frail individuals who may struggle with such trips.
The team averages 30 to 50 tests per month, covering multiple health conditions, including respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and flu.
Collaboration with local health systems ensures seamless follow-up care, as test results and medical notes are shared digitally with GPs, community teams, and nurses.
The EEAST Advanced Practice Team's approach embodies a shift towards home-based care, improving patient experiences and supporting broader healthcare goals.
Tim Hickey, Regional Clinical Lead for Primary and Urgent Care at EEAST, highlighted the innovation and its impact:
“Point of Care Testing has enabled the team to quickly gather and share blood test results usually carried out in hospital laboratories. Armed with this detailed information, they are better supported to form patient-specific care plans and make complex, safe, and holistic clinical decisions – all within the patient's home. I'm very proud that EEAST is leading the way on this amongst UK Ambulance Services.''
Their efforts mark a potential blueprint for the future of urgent care within the NHS.