Information for Patients

What is ANIA 

The Accelerated National Innovation Adoption pathway (ANIA) is an initiative focused on fast tracking the adoption of proven technological innovations across NHS Scotland.    

ANIA brings together partners from across NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government to identify, assess and deliver high impact innovations for deployment at scale, for the benefit of patients across Scotland.   

Who is the Neonatal Gentamicin testing for? 

The testing is for neonates (under 28 days old) who have a suspected infection, including Sepsis and prescribed gentamicin in a neonatal ward Special Care Baby unit (SCBU), Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

What are the benefits of Neonatal Gentamicin testing? 

The national rollout of neonatal gentamicin testing is expected to help protect babies from avoidable hearing loss and support smarter use of NHS resources.

Over the next five years, the test could help prevent hearing loss in around 31 newborns across Scotland.

It’s also expected to save NHS Scotland nearly £200,000 in direct healthcare costs. Wider savings, including reduced need for extra educational support and long-term disability care, could reach up to £14.5 million.

How will this be done? 

Neonatal Point of Care Testing is a new cot-side test for newborns. A gentle cheek swab is used to collect a small sample, which is then checked for a specific gene variant (M.1555A>G). This variant may increase the chance of hearing loss if the baby is treated with gentamicin, a commonly used antibiotic. The test helps ensure each baby receives the safest and most suitable treatment.

When will this be available in my Health Board? 

A phased approach will be taken for implementation of the new POCT, with one early adopting Health Board due to go live in Autumn 2025.  

The remaining Health Boards will be allocated to three further sequential phases to support a structured national deployment.