University research prompts Parliamentary roundtable to drive action on antimicrobial resistance

Research led by a University of Hertfordshire expert has produced a new report calling for practical action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the most significant public health challenges facing the UK.

Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, Senior Lecturer and expert in antimicrobial resistance and stewardship within the University’s School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, convened and led a cross-sector parliamentary roundtable on antimicrobial resistance at the House of Commons in May. Hosted by Andrew Lewin MP, Member of Parliament for Welwyn Hatfield, with discussion led by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, the event brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, public health leaders and patient advocates to explore how existing evidence can be translated into real-world action.

The resulting outputs, published in August, set out five recommendations to help strengthen the UK’s response to AMR and ensure research evidence has a greater role in shaping policy.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist the medicines used to treat them, making infections increasingly difficult to manage. It is estimated to be associated with around 35,200 deaths each year in the UK.

The roundtable focused on how existing evidence, tools and approaches can be translated into action, with participants co-creating recommendations across five priority areas:

• embedding antimicrobial stewardship into everyday clinical practice;
• taking a One Health approach that recognises the links between human, animal, food and environmental health;
• advancing diagnostics, interoperable data and responsible artificial intelligence;
• supporting innovation and effective regulatory pathways; and
• strengthening long-term links between research and Parliament.

Dr Elshenawy said the UK’s challenge was increasingly one of implementation rather than evidence generation.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the defining health challenges of our time, and the UK has long been a global leader in confronting it. But leadership now depends less on producing new evidence than on delivering the tools we already have.

“This roundtable was about turning evidence into action. We brought parliamentarians, public health agencies, professional bodies, researchers and patients into the same room to co-create practical, affordable recommendations. What we need now is the implementation infrastructure, measurable accountability and a permanent connection between research and Parliament to put existing tools into practice.”

The roundtable brought together around 20 senior stakeholders, including parliamentarians, public health leaders, clinicians, researchers, professional bodies and patient advocates. It was chaired by Professor Sam Salek of the University of Hertfordshire.

Participants also considered emerging clinical research indicating that targeted, test-led patient decolonisation could provide an alternative to universal disinfectant use, without increasing costs or creating additional selection pressure for multidrug-resistant organisms.

Patient voices were central to the discussions, with contributors highlighting the importance of emotional engagement and involving patients as genuine partners in research and policy.

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the roundtable was supported by an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account award, for which Dr Elshenawy is Principal Investigator.

The roundtable has now resulted in three publicly available outputs: a policy brief, a supporting evidence and discussion report, and a public summary outlining what the UK should do next to keep antibiotics working.

Together, the publications highlight the need for stronger implementation infrastructure, measurable accountability and a sustained connection between researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals. The recommendations are intended to support future discussions with government, Parliament and key stakeholders, including the next refresh of the UK’s National Action Plan on AMR.

The work forms part of a University of Hertfordshire research project translating AMR research into parliamentary action and strengthening the relationship between research, policy and practice.

Read the Policy Brief: Translating AMR Research into Parliamentary Action.

Read the Supporting Evidence and Discussion Report from the Parliamentary Roundtable.

Read the Public Summary: Keeping Antibiotics Working – What the UK Should Do Next.

Read more about the Translating AMR Research into Parliamentary Action project.

Read more about Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy’s research at the University of Hertfordshire.