20 November 2024

To mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, we have published our recommendations for the UK government and NHS to support medical microbiologists and virologists.

Earlier this year the UK government released its second 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance. Medical microbiologists and virologists will be key to the plan's success. The College has published a series of recommendations to support them to meet the commitments set out in the national action plan.

Globally, over 1 million deaths are directly attributable to bacterial AMR, and 5 million deaths indirectly.[i] Following a decrease in antibiotic-resistant infections in England during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, levels have now surpassed those seen in 2019.

In addition, resistance to ‘last resort’ antibiotics used to treat infections in humans have doubled since 2021.[ii]

The government’s plan sets out a series of actions to reduce infections and the unnecessary use of antimicrobials including antibiotics. It also commits to strengthen surveillance and improve the use of diagnostics.
 

Meeting the targets set out in the action plan will rely heavily on medical microbiologists and virologists. The College’s position statement details a series of recommendations for government and the NHS to help deliver the plan’s actions including:

  • investing in laboratory and infection specialist staff.
  • providing funding for laboratory infrastructure and buildings.
  • removing the barriers that stop the speedy procurement of diagnostics.
  • standardising diagnostic testing processes across NHS organisations to ensure they provide minimum diagnostic testing services to all patients irrespective of where they live.  

Dr Natasha Ratnaraja, Chair of the RCPath Joint Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology Specialty Advisory Committee commented:

"Antimicrobial-resistant infections are on the rise and the UK’s government’s national action plan will be key to reversing this trend. It is vital that medical microbiologists and virologists, who provide leadership and expertise in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control, have the tools needed to support the government’s ambition to tackle antimicrobial resistance."

Read the full position statement here:

[i] World Health Organisation. Global leaders set first targets to control antimicrobial resistance crisis. Published September 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/27-09-2024-global-leaders-set-first-targets-to-control-antimicrobial-resistance-crisis

[ii] UK Health Security Agency. English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR). Report 2023 to 2024. London, UK. Published November 2024. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6734e208b613efc3f1823095/ESPAUR-report-2023-2024.pdf

Author(s)

Communications

  • Communications team