Antibiotic resistant infections 'continue to rise'
"Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to the delivery of healthcare across the globe".
The number of antibiotic resistant infections is continuing to rise, according to a new report by Public Health England (PHE).
Key findings:
- Bloodstream infections caused by Escherichia coli rose by 15.6 per cent between 2010 and 2014. The proportion that were drug resistant remained constant
- Bloodstream infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae rose by 20.8 per cent
- Streptococcus pneumoniae bloodstream infections fell by 23 per cent, which is thought to be due to pneumococcal vaccination rates
On a positive note, the report shows a drop in the number of antibiotic prescriptions dispensed in primary care.
Despite this, the total antibiotic consumption in primary care actually increased by 6.5 per cent between 2011 and 2014. PHE says this suggests longer courses and/or higher dosages are being prescribed in general practice.
Use of broad spectrum antibiotics - which are most likely to drive antibiotic resistance - has fallen in primary care to 8.5 per cent. As a result, England is now the lowest prescriber of some of these drugs in the European Union.
The figures show that the highest proportion of these drugs are prescribed in secondary care. PHE says hospitals need to focus their efforts to ensure they prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for the right reasons and the right duration.
Commenting on the report, Dr Mike Durkin, NHS England director of patient safety, said: "Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to the delivery of healthcare across the globe and these findings clearly show the need for both clinicians and patients to act now and do all they can to behave as responsible stewards of the use of antimicrobial medications.
"As one of the largest healthcare providers in the world, it is vital the NHS is seen to lead that fight against the global problem of antimicrobial resistance so these immensely important medicines can be preserved for now and future generations."
This new data has come from the second annual report of PHE's English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance. To read the report, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/espaur-report-reveals-continued-rise-in-antibiotic-resistant-infections
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
