Doctors must prescribe antibiotics more readily to older patients, says Sir Chris Whitty

Credit: PA Wire/James Manning

By Jane Kirby, PA and Claudia Tanner

England's Chief Medical Officer has called for fundamental changes in how the medical profession approaches infections in older adults, warning that current approaches remain "hit and miss" despite clear evidence that this age group suffers poorer outcomes.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty urged clinicians to adopt a lower threshold for antibiotic prescribing in this population compared with younger adults – acknowledging that whilst over-prescribing remains a concern, the risk-benefit balance favours treatment in this age group.

Infections in older people must be taken “much more seriously”, he said in his new annual report, addressing what he termed historical "nihilism" in the medical community.

“People have assumed it’s one of those things that happen in old age – in fact, we can do a lot about it,” he said.

“Whilst we are very systematic about reducing infections and preventing infections in children and in young adults, in older adults it is often a lot more hit and miss.”