loading . . . Research Insights and Knowledge Mobilisation on Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance in England: ESPAUR Report 2024-25 AbstractThe Research Insights and Knowledge Mobilisation Chapter (Chapter 7) of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report 2024–2025 showcases research into healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) undertaken at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with its collaborators, from April 2024 to March 2025.1The research covers disciplines and topics across the field of AMR and HCAI to address the top 10 key research priorities outlined in the UK 2024-2029 National Action Plan for AMR (NAP).2 The Chapter outlines examples of AMR and HCAI research, collated with project, peer-reviewed publications, and conference abstracts, mapped to the NAP Outcomes (Figure 1). To navigate the breadth of research, studies are organised by the following topic areas: Strengthening surveillance and epidemiologySurveillance and epidemiology are crucial to enable early detection of new threats, track infections, inform policy, and to guide treatment decisions. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and prescribingAMS aims to effectively treat infection in the most appropriate way, with the result of slowing the development of AMR and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. Impact of COVID-19 on AMRThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen many adverse impacts on other infections, in particular HCAI, which have been on the rise. Infection prevention and control (IPC)New techniques and models are enabling hospital environments to be simulated, providing estimates on transmission, the development of resistance, and the impact of health inequalities. Novel IPC strategies are being developed. Novel therapeutics, technologies, and vaccination.Novel approaches have been developed to evaluate vaccines, diagnose infections, and to find new more effective treatments.The chapter spotlights the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) in HCAI and AMR, from 2020 to 2025, led by Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, both with the UKHSA. Key research outputs from across the HPRUs are synthesised, reflecting the translational research for public health policy and practice. HPRU impact case studies illustrate the value the research has brought, including improving patient outcomes, reducing health inequalities, serving the health needs of under-served communities, and building capacity and capability to conduct high-quality research.Furthering the emphasis on ‘Knowledge Mobilisation’ (KM) (i.e., the act of getting the right information to the right people, to influence decision making) the chapter describes the Knowledge Mobilisation Toolkit developed by the Oxford HPRU, containing an array of tools, plus supporting information to help users navigate KM, and apply it to their own research.In 2025, the NIHR launched thirteen new HPRUs, which will run from 2025-2030.3 The HPRU in HCAIs and AMR is a partnership between the University of Oxford and the UKHSA.4 The chapter outlines the research aims of the new HPRU in the prevention and control of HCAIs and of AMR, and its aims to support the delivery and acceleration of progress towards the UK 2024-2029 AMR NAP.Figure 1.The distribution of over 100 peer-reviewed publications across the UKHSA by the NAP outcomes https://academic.oup.com/jacamr/article/doi/10.1093/jacamr/dlaf243.006/8416830?rss=1
