‘Efforts to promote responsible antibiotic use are having an impact’ says UKHSA

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By Erin Dean

Antibiotic-resistant infections are still increasing in England – but the pace of that increase has slowed in the past year, new figures show.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) national surveillance data revealed that an average of 406 antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia cases were reported each week in 2025.

Cases have increased by 17% between 2019 and 2025.

But the UKHSA said there are “early signs of progress” that responsible antibiotic use is having an impact as the pace of that increase slowed in the past year.

Cases rose by 3% to 21,129 between 2024 and 2025, compared with a 9% increase between 2023 and 2024.

There has also been further progress in reducing antibiotic use in the NHS, amid ongoing efforts to promote best prescribing practices and responsible antibiotic use, the body said.

NHS antibiotic use decreased by 11%

Between 2019 and 2025, total antibiotic use in the NHS decreased by 11%, from 17.8 to 15.9 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day.