This event is being delivered in partnership with Roche Diagnostics.
Respiratory infections are a major contributor to winter pressures in healthcare, particularly within secondary where they drive increases in emergency attendance, admissions and hospital bed occupancy. Implementing a community-based “Test and Treat” pathway incorporating a Point-of-Care Test (POCT) offers a practical and scalable approach to reducing patient deterioration and avoiding unnecessary hospitalisation. By providing rapid, on-the-spot results, POCT enables medical professionals to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections, support appropriate prescribing decisions, and initiate timely treatment. Through close collaboration between industry, the Health Innovation Network and the NHS, these diagnostic tests can be effectively deployed in community settings, supporting the NHS’s shift toward preventive, proactive, and locally delivered care. This approach not only transforms care delivery, but also strengthens system resilience during periods of high demand.
Our speaker
Dr David Linden BEng, PhD, MBA, CEng, FIMechE
Dr David Linden brings over 30 years of senior leadership experience across research, product development, marketing, and commercial strategy in healthcare. In his current respiratory roles with the Health Innovation Network, he leads cross-organisational initiatives spanning industry and the NHS, to assess the real-world impact of innovations on patients and the healthcare system, finding the most promising solutions for national NHS adoption programmes. With a proven track record in invention and business development, David is driven by a passion for identifying and accelerating game-changing innovations that tackle the NHS’s toughest challenges, stimulate economic growth, and deliver measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
