The UK is set to create the world’s “first” real-time surveillance system to monitor the threat of future pandemics, prevent disease, and help protect the public, it’s been announced.

The partnership overseeing the plans consists of the UK government, the UK Biobank, Genomics England, NHS England, and leading life sciences and technology company, Oxford Nanopore.

Oxford Nanopore uses long read sequencing technology to analyse genes and pathogens to rapidly diagnose a range of cancers, along with rare and infectious diseases.

In infectious diseases, Oxford Nanopore’s technology will help to create an early warning system for future pandemics and potential biological threats.

It’ll be used in the expansion of NHS England’s Respiratory Metagenomics programme, being led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT).

It uses samples from patients with severe respiratory infections and rapid genetic testing to match those patients with the right treatments within six hours.

The novel application, developed in partnership with the NHS, will allow potential outbreaks of bacterial or viral diseases to be monitored alongside antimicrobial resistance across the country.

The data gathered using the technology will be provided to the UK Health and Security Agency, allowing quicker detection and action on emerging infectious diseases to be taken.

Following an initial successful pilot at St Thomas’ Hospital, the technology will now be rolled out from 10 to up to 30 NHS sites to address the current time lag between new pathogens emerging in the UK and action being taken to both treat affected patients and to prevent their spread.

“If we fail to prepare, we should prepare to fail,” commented health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting.

“Our NHS was already on its knees when the pandemic struck, and it was hit harder than any other comparable healthcare system.

“We cannot let history repeat itself. That’s why this historic partnership with Oxford Nanopore will ensure our world-leading scientists have the latest information on emerging threats at their fingertips.

“As we embrace the technological revolution, our 10-Year Health Plan will shift the NHS away from analogue to digital, saving countless more lives.”

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Oxford Nanopore CEO, Gordon Sanghera, further added: “The UK has a remarkable life science ecosystem, and we are delighted to be working more closely with the UK government and the NHS in this collaboration.

“The world-renowned Genomics England and UK Biobank have led the way in scaling genomics discovery and translating these advances into patient impact.

“By working alongside our partners on shared goals of improved patient outcomes – whether in cancer, genetic disease or infectious disease – and pandemic preparedness, we believe we can deploy our unique DNA sequencing technology in ways that are most impactful for the people of the UK.”