Antimicrobials are used to treat millions of people worldwide, used for minor illnesses, to supporting surgery, in modern cancer therapies and in the treatment of potentially life-threatening infections, in both humans and animals.

However, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major public health threat, with an increasing number of resistant organisms, making antimicrobials less effective at treating infection.

The UK government’s 5-year National Action Plan sets out the vision to reducing the incidence of AMR.

The SEL ICS Joint Forward Plan for Transforming and Integrating Medicines Optimisation sets out AMS as a priority action to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.

This is being delivered in south east London by:

  • Establishment of a south east London expert group for AMS, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders across South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS), known as the South East London Forum for Antimicrobial Stewardship (SELFAS).
  • Establishment of expert sector subgroups of SELFAS, such as the SELFAS Primary Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Group.
  • Creation of a single easily accessible Business Intelligence (BI) dashboard for south east London AMS, to monitor key AMS metrics across south east London. The SEL AMS BI Dashboard is available to .nhs users to access the latest AMS metrics. If you require support on accessing the dashboard, please contact: bi@selondonics.nhs.uk
  • Amalgamation, unification and rationalisation of Primary Care Antimicrobial Guidance into a single south east London Primary Care Antimicrobials Prescribing Guideline.
  • Digitising access to the south east London Primary Care Antimicrobials Prescribing Guideline onto an online platform, thereby improving access to evidence based expert-reviewed, localised guidance, at the point of care.
  • Integrating antimicrobial services across the healthcare spectrum, whether delivered by the acute sector, GP primary care or Community Pharmacists primary care.

South east London Primary Care Antimicrobials Prescribing Guidelines

The south east London Primary Care Antimicrobials Prescribing Guidelines are hosted and available electronically via the EOLAS® app and EOLAS Medical website.

For further information, refer to the Eolas Medical Quick Reference Guide for detailed guidance on accessing Eolas system.

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

Every November, World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) brings people together to raise awareness of the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. In 2024, NHS South East London joined this global campaign to help protect the power of antibiotics for generations to come.

South East London Integrated Care System

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