At least 55,000 people face new tests in diabetes error

Machine errors used to diagnose diabetes mean that at least 55,000 people in England will need additional blood tests, a BBC survey discovered.

Some patients have been wrongly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and even prescribed drugs they don’t need – and there may be more people affected by the NHS in England.

NHSE confirmed that 16 hospital trusts use the machines, manufactured by Trinity Biotech, which have produced inaccurate test results.

In a press release, Trinity Biotech says that it is working closely with the British Health Regulator and has contacted all the hospitals that use the machines.

The BBC reported for the first time in September 2024 that 11,000 patients were noted after a reassessment after a Dunstable Luton and Luton Hospital has published incorrect diabetes results.

The NHS England now claims that type 2 diabetes diagnoses increased by 10,000 in 2024, 4% more than expected.

The procedure, known as the A1C hemoglobin test, measures the average blood sugar levels which are used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and monitor the condition.

According to the drug and health care regulator (MHRA), the problems with the tests on these machines were reported for the first time in April 2024.

Vicky Davies, 36, from Kingston on Hull was informed that she suffered from type 2 diabetes in October 2024.

He was advised to try to lose weight first, sent an eye screening and were then prescribed four Metformin tablets per day – the maximum dose.

In April 2025, she had other blood tests as part of her three -month exam and was informed that she was not diabetic, which she supposed because she had been on metformin.

Later this month, however, it was said that her blood results may not have been precise and advised to leave the medication immediately.

During the four months, she took Metformin, she suffered from stomach and dizziness and always feels stressed.

“It had a huge effect on my life. Since the diagnosis, I have suffered from stress and I had to take time to attend appointments.

“I complained to my general practitioner, but I didn’t really have any excuses. I am so angry,” she told BBC News.

In a letter from his general practitioner, they said that they were not aware of the problems that occur in laboratories and that they work at best their capacities with the available medical information.

In September 2024, a message on the Bedfordshire Trust website said 11,000 patients were to be noted.

He warned that some of them could have been wrongly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to test problems analyzed in the hospital laboratory.

Confidence apologized “for any emotional distress and disadvantage”.

In July 2025, the regulatory agency for medicines and health products said it had received reports describing a positive bias delivered by Trinity Biotech machines.

This has made that some patients are poorly diagnosed as pre-diabetics or diabetics.

NHS Trusts already recalls patients for repeated tests and the NHS in England says that anyone who needs a rehearsal test will be contacted by their general practitioner or their local hospital.

This adds that, for people who may have been wrongly diagnosed as a result of this problem, the risk is low and they would receive lifestyle advice and first offer support programs.

Metformin, which may have been wrongly prescribed for some of these patients, works by lowering blood sugar by improving the way the body manages insulin.

If you feel these symptoms while taking medication against diabetes:

• Hypoglycemia (tremor / tremor, perspiration, confusion, loss of consciousness)
• and hyperglycemia (excessive thirst, blurred vision, recurring infections)

The advice is to consult a doctor immediately.

Dr. Clare Hambling, National Clinical Director of Diabetes for NHS in England, said: “Being potentially diagnosed with a long -term condition, such as type 2 diabetes, is naturally disturbing, but the clinical risk of prejudice for patients following this problem is low.”

The NHS in England says that less than 10% of their laboratories have been assigned and that all have replaced the machines or resolved of the calibration problems.

In response to a BBC survey, Trinity Biotech said: “The company has worked closely with the MHRA to resolve the problems encountered by certain British laboratories using the system.”

The press release also said that the company had “issued three security opinions in the field in 2024 to all British users, informing them of a potential problem of positive biases”.

These opinions included “the reiteration of details of the measures to be taken to ensure optimal operation of the system, emphasizing the importance of exploiting the system according to the manufacturer’s instructions,” continued the declaration.