The discussion began with Dame Sally Davies revisiting her Diamond Jubilee lecture that she gave for the College in 2022. She shared insights into how the United Nations was brought on board with the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

She emphasised that the collaborative success on getting the United Nations onboard with AMR wasn’t hers alone but a product of teamwork across the British Government, particularly the Department of Health and Social Care, the Foreign Office from the diplomatic perspective and the Science and Innovation (SIN) Network.

Dame Saly highlighted a pivotal moment when diplomatic efforts, supported by the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden, led to a 2016 high-level meeting at the UN General Assembly – a significant milestone driven by the dedication of UK diplomats.

What they found at this first meeting was no big surprise, people weren’t weren’t aware of the importance of addressing AMR. However, On September 26 2024 at the second high level meeting on AMR, there was a big change! All countries involved were aware of the problem.

They were aware of the need to write national action plans, but those need funding, and thanks to work from Health Metrics and Evaluation there was some good burden of disease data. This high-level meeting was a big success for multilateralism.

Other parts of the discussion covered the collaborative efforts needed between the private and public sectors to address AMR. The critical roles of animals and the environment in combating the issue were also highlighted. As Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally famously played a pivotal role in uniting vets and doctors - a massive stride forward in addressing this issue.

Additionally, how the public can be better engaged with AMR came up. A musical on AMR that was brought to New York and Chipotle both interestingly and surprisingly featured in the answer.

Dame Sally delivered a powerful call to action for pathologists, emphasising their pivotal role in tackling AMR. She encouraged pathologists to not only excel in their work but to step beyond the laboratory - educating hospital staff, engaging with the community, and advocating for AMR awareness and action.

She highlighted the importance of One Health collaboration, urging professionals to address AMR on a broader scale by supporting countries with fewer resources and working alongside global partners to enhance diagnosis, surveillance, and data collection.

The closing message was clear and decisive: solving AMR requires personal responsibility, collective effort, and a global perspective. Dame Sally closed with heartfelt praise for the pathology and the healthcare community, reminding everyone that together, we can make a difference!

The full talk will be available to play on-demand soon.

The evolution of antimicrobial resistance

This presentation set the scene for the discussions that would follow, by asking when and how AMR first arose, looking at the mechanisms by which AMR evolves in bacterial pathogens. It went on to give a brief snapshot of where we are now globally, who is most impacted, and some predicted future trends.

The evolution of antimicrobial resistance

The social burden of antimicrobial resistance

This talk introduced the concept of the ‘social burden’ of AMR in 4 dimensions. First, the uneven distribution of AMR within human populations, which disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable between and within countries. Second, the unequal burden of AMR experiences, which affect both patients and those who care for them for often extended periods, leading to potentially catastrophic opportunity costs, especially for those without economic and social safety nets. Third, the changes that AMR makes to society, through shifting human-microbial-antimicrobial relationships. And fourth, the socially uneven nature of those shouldering the burden of AMR intervention, often focused on the form of cleaning or policing antimicrobials. Including the powerfully heart wrenching story of Uncle P in Thailand and his battle with infection due to AMR.

The full talk will be available to play on-demand soon.

Wastewater surveillance, opportunities and challenges

Dr Wael F. Elamin started by exploring some of the history and value of wastewater surveillance, from Victor Hugo’s depiction of sewers as the “conscience of the city” to its modern applications in tracking public health threats. He highlighted how wastewater, traditionally seen as pollution, has provided critical insights - from the Broad Street cholera outbreak to COVID-19 and polio surveillance in London and New York. Dr Elamin emphasised the need for real-time, unbiased  monitoring and underscored the role of wastewater microbiology in the One Health approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health for better outcomes.

The full talk will be available to play on-demand soon.

Strategies to reduce infection complications in acute myeloid leukaemia

Infection continues to be a leading cause of illness and death for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), presenting unique challenges for those undergoing treatment. In an insightful talk, on behalf of the supportive care subgroup of the UK AML Research Network explored these challenges, shedding light on the innovative trials currently underway in the UK. These studies aim to address infective complications and improve outcomes for AML patients. Looking ahead, the discussion also focused on future strategies to further reduce the burden of infection in this vulnerable group, emphasising the importance of continued research and collaboration in supportive care.

Strategies to reduce infection complications in acute myeloid leukaemia

Global perspectives on AMR

The roundtable discussion chaired by College President, Dr Bernie Croal, focussed on global perspectives on AMR, drawing inspiration from the 6-part webinar series that was hosted by the International Team last summer. The discussion delved into regional challenges and opportunities, drew out shared experiences and global  experts, discussed the prevalence of AMR across different countries and identify key priorities for addressing this urgent issue.

The full talk will be available to play on-demand soon.

The College’s position statements on AMR

Dr Natasha Ratnaraja and Danny Scarsbrook led a lunchtime session discussing the College’s position statements on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They talked about the crucial role of medical microbiologists and virologists in combating AMR through leadership in antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, diagnostics, and surveillance.

However, workforce shortages and limited diagnostic capabilities pose significant challenges. To address these, the College is developing position statements to highlight key issues and propose solutions. These statements will guide engagement with policymakers, healthcare organisations, and the NHS, fostering collaboration to tackle AMR effectively.

The full talk will be available to play on-demand soon.