Strengthening Infection Prevention and Management Across the UK
The report outlines how infectious diseases continue to present major challenges, ranging from everyday infections that are becoming more resistant to antimicrobials, to the ongoing threat of emerging infections and future pandemics. It emphasises the vital role played by the infection-specialist workforce in protecting both patients and public health.
This multidisciplinary workforce includes infectious disease physicians, clinical microbiologists, virologists, infection prevention specialists, antimicrobial pharmacists, biomedical scientists, and clinical scientists, all working together across clinical care, diagnostics, public health, and infection prevention and control.
It highlights growing concerns around workforce shortages and increasing demand driven by factors such as antimicrobial resistance, ageing populations, rising patient complexity, and the wider use of immunosuppressive treatments. In response, it sets out recommendations aimed at modernising infection services and supporting the workforce through improved collaboration, digital innovation, and greater integration of infection expertise across healthcare settings.
Aligned with the NHS 10 Year Plan, the report supports a shift towards more preventive care, increased community-based services, and the smarter use of technology and shared data to improve patient outcomes and healthcare resilience.
Members interested in the future of infection prevention and management, workforce development, and innovation across laboratory medicine are encouraged to read the full report via the link below.