UTI Diagnostics Study: Patient Advisory Group

A research study to develop a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test for UTIs

Thank you for your interest in the UTI Diagnostics Study Patient Advisory Group.

This study is being facilitated by MicroplateDx. MicroplateDx is currently developing a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test for urinary tract infections (UTI). We are seeking individuals in the Live UTI Free community with lived experience of UTI to help shape the product’s development by joining a Patient Advisory Group led by our team. This is an exciting opportunity to share your experiences and provide valuable insights on what you would like to see in a UTI diagnostic test.

Apply for the Patient Advisory Group

What Is A Patient Advisory Group?

A patient advisory group (PAG) for a research study is a group of people with experience of a particular health condition. The group provides feedback and advice to guide decisions about the research study to make sure these are informed by people with lived experience of the health condition, as well as researchers and healthcare professionals.

What Will The Study Patient Advisory Group Involve?

We are seeking a Patient Advisory Group (PAG) of 5 to 7 participants, who will help shape the future of UTI diagnostics. As a member of the PAG, you will play a vital role in providing feedback about the overall study, and in guiding the development of two patient focus groups.

The PAG will meet a maximum of once a month throughout the project and all meetings will be held online via Zoom video calls. It is anticipated that each meeting will last no longer than one hour. Discussion may also occur via email between meetings so that we may provide materials for feedback.

Topics we’ll discuss:

MicroplateDx’s UTI diagnostic test and how it works
Your personal experiences with UTI and UTI testing
Defining the inclusion criteria for two patient focus groups
Providing feedback on materials for the patient focus groups, including participant information sheets
Exploring the key topics to be covered in the patient focus groups

Will Participants Be Paid?

Participants will be paid for their time, at an hourly rate of GBP25 in line with NIHR public involvement payment guidance.

When Will I Be Expected To Start?

The first PAG meeting will take place at the beginning of April, and meetings will be held until November 2025. Meeting times will be selected based on availability of the PAG members.

Who Can Apply?

We are looking for 5 to 7 participants, and the role is open to individuals based in the UK. We are looking to involve people with a range of lived experience of UTI and from a range of backgrounds. We ask you to complete a screening questionnaire to tell us about yourself and express your interest in being part of the PAG. We will use this information to identify a group of people with a range of experience who will be invited to join the PAG. Not everyone who applies will be eligible to participate, but for those who are unable to join the PAG on this occasion, there may be other opportunities to help in research about UTI in the future.

To be part of the Patient Advisory Group, you must:

Be aged 18 years or older
Be based in the UK (including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Have experienced at least one UTI per year OR be a carer for an individual who experiences recurrent UTI

If you are interested in this role, please fill out the screening questionnaire to express your interest..

Do I Need To Have Experience On A Patient Advisory Group?

No, you do not need to have prior experience on a Patient Advisory Group. We welcome anyone who meets the above criteria and has an interest in improving UTI diagnostics. The organised meetings will be held by a representative of Live UTI Free who will guide the discussions.

What Happens If I Can’t Attend A PAG Meeting?

Meeting times will be selected in advance, based on the availability of the group. It is anticipated that members of the PAG may not be able to attend every individual meeting. We will provide updates by email after each meeting so all PAG members can be kept informed of progress and any action to be taken.

Is There A Waiting List If The Patient Advisory Group Is Full?

Yes, we will leave the screening questionnaire open for a short period of time in order to create a waiting list. If you are added to the waiting list, you will receive an email to let you know once you have completed the screening questionnaire. In the event that a place on the PAG becomes available, we will get in touch with those on the waiting list by email.

Apply for the Patient Advisory Group

How Will The Data I Provide In The Screening Questionnaire Be Used?

Data collected via this screening questionnaire will be stored securely in a GDPR compliant drive and will be retained for 5 years beyond the end of the project.

What is the UTI Diagnostics Study?

MicroplateDX has received National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding to develop and test RapidPlate™, a rapid, cost-effective antibiotic susceptibility test for urinary tract infections (UTIs) that can be used on site where the patient receives care, for example in a GP clinic. The new test delivers accurate antibiotic recommendations in under one hour, helping to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by preventing unnecessary or ineffective prescriptions.

Working with other healthcare partners, MicroplateDx will test RapidPlate™ using 500 patient samples and compare it to current gold-standard testing methods. The project also will also gather healthcare professional views on the test and analyse the test’s cost-effectiveness.

With the potential to significantly improve UTI treatment, reduce hospitalisations, and lower NHS costs, RapidPlate™ is a platform that could transform the way infections are diagnosed and treated, offering fast, more accurate results.

The study commenced in December 2024 with an anticipated end in 2026. Meetings for the Patient Advisory Group will start in April 2025 and continue until November 2025.