Synergy Healthcare is in talks with a number of NHS trusts over the launch of a new screening service designed to catch patients carrying deadly superbugs before they are admitted to hospital. Patients laid low by superbugs are thought to cost the NHS £1bn a year, but up to 7 per cent of patients may be already infected before they set foot on a ward.
Synergy boss Richard Steeves says the test looks specifically for MRSA bacteria, and could save hospitals £100m a year. Its labs complete the test in four hours, and diagnosed patients can then be treated separately.
'MRSA kills around 5,000 people in the UK each year,' said Steeves. 'We are confident we have the products and experience to reduce outbreaks'
In January, Synergy acquired Isotron, which specialises in sterilising surgical instruments, for £180m. Steeves said it was also 'on course to make an investment in China'.