Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes mutate over time, becoming resistant to the antimicrobial agents. As a result of this, treating infections becomes increasingly difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Researchers have estimated that AMR caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019.
Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is a commitment to promoting and monitoring the use of antimicrobials in order to preserve their future effectiveness. It is both a national and a global priority.
AMS Priorities 2026/27
In response to NHS England’s letter Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future (November 2025), a report has been developed and will be shared with the ICB Board, setting out the below three actions as priority workplan for 2026/27.
Three Actions:
- SCAN Antimicrobial Guidelines (September 2024: updated link as guidelines moved from MicroGuide to Eolas platform)
- How to access SCAN guidelines on Eolas
- NICE Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidance - condensed table
- TARGET Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance - managing common infections
- Back-up prescribing
Posters
- Antimicrobial resistance is not a small issue
- Antibiotics are losing their power
- What does antimicrobial resistance mean for everyone?
- Taking antibiotics when you don't need them puts you and your family at risk (English)
- Taking antibiotics when you don't need them puts you and your family at risk (12 other languages)
Vidoes/gifs
- Key messages for primary care prescribers
- Back-up prescribing quick reference guide
- Gut microbiome poster and video
- Teaching resource
- EMIS searches overview and searches folder (searches are available on Future NHS here or contact your Medicines Optimisation Team)
- Master PAMS project documents on Future NHS
WAAW 2025 Healthcare Setting Specific Activities
Prescribing and Medicines Optimisation Bulletin - Special Edition, WAAW 2025
- GP practice
- Community pharmacy
- Acute trust
- Urgent Treatment Centre and Out of Hours service
- Dental practice
- Schools
WAAW 2024 Healthcare Setting Specific Activities
Prescribing and Medicines Optimisation Bulletin - Special Edition, WAAW 2024
- GP practices
- UTC/OOH
- Secondary care
- Community Pharmacy
- Dental practices
- Primary Schools and Early Years
WAAW 2023 Activities for Primary Care Workforce
Patient facing video on AMS
National UTI Campaign resources (NHSE and UKHSA hosted on TARGET website)
- Shortest effective course lengths - infographics
- Shortest effective course lengths evidence bundle
- Key messages - amoxicillin 500mg capsules
- Key messages - doxycycline 100mg capsules
- Key messages - flucloxacillin 500mg capsules
- Key messages - penicillin 250mg tablets
- Shorter is Better with Antibiotics: Lessons and Resources
- Full Shorter Courses details and resources available on Futures NHS (login required)
- TARGET antibiotics toolkit hub (hosted by RCGP)
- Antimicrobial Resistance Programme: shared workspace on FutureNHS (login required to access)
- WHO World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (annually, from 18th-24th November)
- Antibiotic Guardian
- Keep Antibiotics Working: public health campaign supporting efforts to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics
- COPD Rescue Pack Protocol: shared by Living Well Partnership PCN
- Pharmacy Technicians in Primary care: Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Handbook for Pharmacy Technicians in Primary care
- Pharmacy Technicians in Secondary care: Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Handbook for Pharmacy Technicians in Secondary care
- Fungal nail - changes to routine lab testing
