The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) has welcomed the publication of the Public Accounts Committee's report following its inquiry on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its recognition of the vital role of medical microbiology and virology.
The Public Accounts Committee has published - 30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance: addressing the risks
The report makes it clear that consultant medical microbiologists and virologists are essential to address AMR. The Committee used evidence provided by RCPath to the inquiry to highlight gaps in the workforce that are jeopardising efforts to optimise prescribing and control infection. Efforts are also hindered by the insufficient use of diagnostic tools to support the use of antimicrobials.
The report also highlights:
- limitations in data sharing, between primary care and hospitals, or between hospitals and social care which prevents the correct prescription of antimicrobials and infection management
- the condition of the NHS estate raises the risk of infections spreading, with patients being close together and sharing toilets in facilities that are difficult to clean.
Dr Natasha Ratnaraja, Consultant in Infection and Chair of RCPat’s Medical Microbiology and Virology Specialty Advisory Committee, commented: “We are pleased to see this report and its recommendations. The report makes clear that consultant medical microbiologists and virologists are essential to address antimicrobial resistance and that investment in the workforce is much required. We are also pleased to see the importance of data sharing highlighted. Difficulties in obtaining diagnostic test results make it difficult for clinicians to prescribe antimicrobials and manage infections.”
In support of the findings in the report, the College is calling for:
- investment in the consultant medical microbiology and virology workforce to ensure robust antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control
- interoperability between pathology systems and electronic patient records to improve data sharing and ensure diagnostic results and specialist advice is clearly communicated to clinicians.