Help shape what a better cellulitis test should do
Public Consultation
What we're asking: Share your views on what an ideal diagnostic test for cellulitis should do. We need input from patients, carers, clinicians, researchers and healthcare organisations.
Time needed: 15–20 minutes to read our draft recommendations and complete a feedback form
Why it matters: Your feedback will directly shape guidance that could influence which new tests get developed and how the NHS approaches cellulitis diagnosis and monitoring.
Deadline: 23:59, 18 November 2025
The problem we're addressing
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that needs prompt treatment. Over 90% of people see their GP first, yet there's no reliable test to confirm the diagnosis. This means many people face multiple appointments and different diagnoses before getting the right treatment.
Even after treatment, there's no clear way to confirm recovery. Some people stay on antibiotics longer than necessary whilst others stop too soon.
Cellulitis often recurs – sometimes repeatedly – and we still can't reliably predict who's at highest risk.
What we're working towards: A diagnostic test that quickly and reliably confirms cellulitis and tracks recovery, helping clinicians make confident treatment decisions and reducing unnecessary uncertainty for patients.
What we've done so far
We've worked with clinicians, patients, carers and technology developers to agree on what an ideal cellulitis diagnostic test should include. This work has produced a draft document describing the key features of such a test – covering what it should do, how it should perform, and how it should fit into healthcare settings.
Now we need wider input to refine these recommendations before publishing final guidance.
Who we want to hear from
We want to hear from:
- People affected by cellulitis: patients, family members, friends or carers
- Healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals
- Researchers and innovators: academics working in infection or diagnostics, companies developing diagnostic tools
- Healthcare organisations: patient advocacy groups, health technology organisations
Your perspective matters whether you're contributing from personal experience, professional practice, technical knowledge, or a combination of these.
Quick links
- Download the draft recommendations (PDF, 14 pages)
- Complete the feedback form
- Email: cellulitis@phc.ox.ac.uk
Deadline: 23:59, 18 November 2025
Lead Investigator
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Gail Hayward
Professor of Primary Care
Lead Researcher
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Youngjoo Kang
Research Assistant / F2 Resident Doctor
How to get involved
Time commitment: Approximately 15–20 minutes
What you'll do:
- Read the draft recommendations document (14 pages, PDF format). The document is detailed, but you can focus on the sections most relevant to your experience
- Complete a short online feedback form with structured questions about the proposed key features
What we're asking:
The feedback form asks you to comment on whether the proposed test features are appropriate, achievable and complete. Focus on the areas where you have most insight or experience.
Deadline: 23:59, 18 November 2025
What happens next
We'll analyse all feedback and use it to refine the recommendations. We'll publish the final guidance by Spring 2026 and share it with innovators, healthcare systems and policymakers across the UK and internationally.
If you'd like to receive a copy of the final recommendations and a summary of how feedback shaped the guidance, you can indicate this in the feedback form.
Questions or alternative formats
If you need the document in an alternative format, have questions about the project, or would like to discuss anything before participating, please contact us:
Email: cellulitis@phc.ox.ac.uk
Project lead: Professor Gail Hayward, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford