A major healthcare crisis has emerged across England, with a minimum of 55,000 individuals requiring fresh blood tests following the discovery of defective diabetes diagnostic equipment.

The BBC has uncovered that numerous patients have received incorrect type 2 diabetes diagnoses after malfunctioning Trinity Biotech devices generated false readings.

These individuals received unnecessary prescriptions and medical interventions based on flawed test outcomes.

The scale of the problem continues to expand, with NHS England acknowledging that additional affected patients may yet be identified.

The systematic error caused some individuals to receive incorrect diabetic classifications

The faulty equipment has compromised diabetes testing across multiple healthcare facilities throughout the country.

Sixteen NHS hospital trusts across England utilised the problematic Trinity Biotech equipment that delivered false positive results in haemoglobin A1C testing.

These blood sugar assessments serve as the primary diagnostic tool for type 2 diabetes and ongoing condition monitoring.

The consequences became apparent when NHS England recorded an unexpected surge in type 2 diabetes cases during 2024.

Diagnoses climbed by 10,000 patients, representing a 4 per cent increase beyond projected figures.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed in July 2025 that the Trinity Biotech devices exhibited a positive bias in their readings.

This systematic error caused some individuals to receive incorrect pre-diabetic or diabetic classifications.

Vicky Davies, a 36-year-old Hull resident, experienced the devastating impact of misdiagnosis firsthand.

Following an October 2024 test result, she received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and began the maximum dosage of Metformin - four tablets daily.

"It's had a huge effect on my life. Since the diagnosis, I have suffered with stress and had to take time off work to attend appointments," Davies revealed to BBC News.

The medication caused persistent stomach problems and dizziness throughout her four-month treatment period.

When subsequent testing in April 2025 revealed she wasn't diabetic, medical staff immediately discontinued her prescription.

Faulty equipment has compromised diabetes testing across multiple facilities

"I've complained to my GP, but I didn't really get an apology. I'm just so angry," she stated.

NHS England's diabetes clinical director, Dr Clare Hambling, acknowledged the distress caused while stressing that the clinical risk is minimal.

"Being potentially misdiagnosed with any long-term condition, such as type 2 diabetes, is understandably worrying; however, the clinical risk of harm to patients following this issue is low," she stated.

Trinity Biotech confirmed collaboration with UK health authorities and direct communication with affected hospitals.

The company distributed three safety alerts throughout 2024, detailing corrective measures and emphasising proper operational procedures.

Initial reports emerged in April 2024, according to regulatory records.

NHS England confirms that under 10 per cent of laboratories experienced problems, with all facilities having since replaced equipment or resolved calibration errors.