The Infection Management Coalition (IMC), of which BIVDA is a member, welcomes the publication of the Independent Investigation of the NHS in England, conducted by Lord Ara Darzi. Its findings highlight the persistent challenges in infection prevention and control (IPC), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and uptake and investment in diagnostics. Progress in all three areas has been slow and urgent action is needed to reduce the devastating impact of infection on people, the NHS and the UK economy.

The Government and NHS must now consider targeted action across all four pillars of comprehensive infection management: outbreak and pandemic preparedness; IPC; antimicrobial stewardship; and rapid recognition, diagnosis and treatment of time-critical conditions like sepsis. These pillars must hold equal importance if we are to solve the infection challenge. As a Coalition, we hope to see these represented in the forthcoming 10-year Plan for the NHS.

Find out more about the IMC here: theimc.org