We introduced key concepts associated with evaluating new diagnostics to individuals from a variety of organisations at our training course.

On 30 September and 1 October 2025, we hosted our annual “Evidence Generation for Diagnostics Development” online course. We provided a step-by-step guide to the evidence that needs to be generated before new diagnostics are suitable for NHS adoption. We also emphasised the support we can provide to diagnostics developers at these different stages. The series was also an opportunity for us to showcase our collaborations with industry and teams across Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University who also delivered sessions at the course.

Feedback from participants was very positive with 100% respondents rating the course content as excellent or very good. Attendees also praised the structure, organisation, delivery and accessibility of the course along with the quality of the speakers.

After outlining the “evidence development pathway” for new diagnostics, during the first day, we discussed the importance of meaningfully involving patients and the public in research; analysing patient care pathways and conducting health economic evaluations. Tim Hicks and Dr Alison Bray from the Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Directorate shared how to meet regulatory requirements for new health technologies. In the final session of the day, Amanda Winter from the North East Innovation Lab discussed the analytical performance of new diagnostics.

On the second day, we introduced how to assess the diagnostic accuracy of new diagnostics. Kim Keltie from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) External Assessment Group discussed the NICE appraisal process. Dr Lisa Shaw from the Newcastle University Stroke Research Group also provided a practical guide to delivering a successful clinical study.

In the final session, Stuart Hannah and Alistair Longmuir from Microplate Dx shared their experience of developing a technology for antibiotic prescribing and explained how we are helping the company generate necessary data.

The course will be back in November 2026.

Find out more and register your interest now