Research into inflammatory marker testing has led to a reduction and rationalisation in their use by GPs in both Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and the South West Peninsula.
In BNSSG alone, data suggests the research saved the local NHS nearly £115,000 and GPs more than 600 hours a year. Further savings will have come from avoiding follow-on appointments for thousands of false positives.
The research was led by Dr Jessica Watson, an academic GP at the Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol, as part of her ARC West supported PhD.