12
Conclusion
30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance:…
Acknowledged
As part of its 2019–24 National Action Plan for AMR, the third UK plan of its kind, the government set five domestic targets. These related to levels of drug-resistant and Gram-negative bloodstream infections (named after a bacteria-testing method and are more likely to be resistant to antimicrobials), use of antimicrobials …
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As part of its 2019–24 National Action Plan for AMR, the third UK plan of its kind, the government set five domestic targets. These related to levels of drug-resistant and Gram-negative bloodstream infections (named after a bacteria-testing method and are more likely to be resistant to antimicrobials), use of antimicrobials in humans and animals, and use of diagnostic tests.29 However, only one of these five targets, relating to use of antimicrobials in animals, was achieved. NHS England told us that the 22 Qq 56–62 23 Q 62 24 Qq 60, 61 25 Q 16; C&AG’s Report, paras 2.7, 3.20 26 Q 43 27 House of Commons Library, US aid, the UK, and funding for multilateral aid bodies in 2025, 18 March 2025 28 AR0007, AR0009, AR0015, AR0021, AR0025 29 C&AG’s Report, paras 8, 2.11 and 2.14 11 targets were not achieved as they were overambitious, and the targets had been based on previous success with other targeted infections such as MRSA, which involve a different mode of transmission, as well as the impact of the pandemic such as a post-pandemic resurgence of infections. NHS England believes that progress was still made even though the targets were not hit.30
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation and details its processes for closely monitoring and annually reviewing NAP human health targets, using data and expert advice to guide future action and potential revisions.
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HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance:…
Acknowledged
Dr Partridge told us that there is also an increasing threat in the UK from strains of pathogens which cause Gram-negative infections that are more likely to be resistant and more likely to result in the death of the patient. In particular, there has been an increase in Gram-negative pathogens …
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Dr Partridge told us that there is also an increasing threat in the UK from strains of pathogens which cause Gram-negative infections that are more likely to be resistant and more likely to result in the death of the patient. In particular, there has been an increase in Gram-negative pathogens which produce specific types of enzymes which are associated with higher mortality.36 Dr Partridge told us this shift will cause great difficulties for the NHS, given that there are even fewer treatment options.37 30 Q 36; C&AG’s Report, para 11 31 C&AG’s Report, para 3.4 32 Qq 37, 78 33 Qq 21, 77; C&AG’s Report, para 17 34 Q 21 35 Q 77 36 Evidence shows there have been increases in carbapenemase-producing Gram- negative organisms. This refers to a type of organism which produces enzymes called carbapenemase, which can destroy antibiotics called carapenems. A specific type of cabarpenemase-producing Gram-negative organism is one which produces an enzyme called metallo-beta-lactamase, and this type of organism is associated with higher mortality. See Q 1; UKHSA, English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance 2023–24, October 2014 37 Q 1 12
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation, stating it monitors progress against targets biannually and reviews them annually, with UKHSA modelling trends and seeking expert advice on revisions, but acknowledges that preventing an increase in these infections is ambitious.
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HM Treasury
16
Conclusion
30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance:…
Acknowledged
The government achieved only one of the five quantitative domestic targets it set as part of the 2019–24 NAP–reducing the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals.41 The 2019–24 NAP also set 128 commitments for DHSC and Defra which related to the UK or England. However, specific deadlines were not set …
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The government achieved only one of the five quantitative domestic targets it set as part of the 2019–24 NAP–reducing the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals.41 The 2019–24 NAP also set 128 commitments for DHSC and Defra which related to the UK or England. However, specific deadlines were not set for the commitments and by January 2024 only seven were recorded as being fully implemented.42 The government acknowledged in the 2024–29 NAP that, in some areas, progress on tackling AMR has been slow and there has been insufficient focus on and resources allocated to AMR.43
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation of past progress, and states it will monitor progress against new NAP targets biannually, conduct annual reviews, and use surveillance trends and modelling to inform future target ambition, while acknowledging the challenge of preventing increases in some infections.
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HM Treasury