Infection and AMR are some of the greatest existential threats to our healthcare system in the present day. The creation of a ‘clean’ environment is the prerequisite for the effective delivery of all modern healthcare interventions and people need assurance that by being in a healthcare setting they will not contract further illness, let alone one that cannot be treated. Yet it is estimated that around 300,000 people a year in England acquire a healthcare associated infection (HCAI) during contact with the NHS, the use of antibiotics in hospitals is increasing and antibiotic resistance was present in 11 percent of infections in the UK (in 2019).

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​In England alone, data show that more than 1.7 million hospital episodes of care annually are precipitated or complicated by a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. Although the risk of acquiring infection with resistant organisms is lower outside hospitals, it is important to note that a majority of people with serious infection and sepsis (approximately 80%) contract the causative infection in the community. Prevention here remains important, but at present vaccination can only prevent a minority of infections. In 2020, it was reported that 80% of UK antibiotic prescribing occurs in the community, the vast majority in primary care.

 

While the status quo of infection management is not working, the mortality and burden of infection will only increase. The Infection Management Coalition (IMC) exists to deploy the expertise of its membership to work with government to improve infection management processes for the benefit of patients and the whole of society.