Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help tackle battlefield antimicrobial resistance.

Defence Medical Services (DMS) has several mature policies and capabilities in place designed to mitigate the risk of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the deployed space, from antimicrobial policy and stewardship to infection prevention and control strategies.

DMS is developing an AMR strategy to ensure Defence can manage the current threat and respond to future risks, including balancing the needs of the wounded with the threat of resistance.

DMS is at the forefront internationally in capturing data on AMR from the conflict in Ukraine, with active collaborations with Ukrainian colleagues which have resulted in a number of academic publications on AMR and conflict.

AMR tools and resources have been developed to help healthcare professionals to improve infection prevention and control practices, and to help improve prescribing. Best practice can reduce the use of antimicrobials and reduce the risk of resistance developing.