Steve Race MP, who authored the foreword to BIVDA’s Community Diagnostics Consensus Statement, has confirmed that Health Minister Ashley Dalton has formally acknowledged the report.
The Minister expressed her thanks to BIVDA and our partner organisations for championing the adoption of diagnostic testing to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing, and commended BIVDA’s wider efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
She also highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, as demonstrated by the diverse organisations endorsing the statement, and noted that DHSC colleagues will explore how its recommendations can inform the department’s ongoing work.
The Government has reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to deliver the ambitions of the 2024–2029 National AMR Action Plan, alongside its long-term target of containing and controlling AMR by 2040.
BIVDA strongly welcomes this commitment and, as part of our core strategic objective to utilise diagnostics to tackle AMR, will continue working closely with government and partners to help ensure these vital goals are achieved.
Continued engagement at this level demonstrates that BIVDA’s work is having a profound impact on government policy and aiding the recognition of the importance of our sector.
