Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the threat of antimicrobial resistance for people with cystic fibrosis as we mark cystic fibrosis awareness week from 8-14 June.

The United Kingdom’s 2024 to 2029 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan (NAP), published in May 2024, recognises that AMR impacts people differently. People with cystic fibrosis are an increased risk of infection, including resistant infections, and therefore action to tackle the threat of AMR is even more important for this group. In particular, the use of accurate diagnostic testing to guide effective antibiotic use, a priority commitment in the NAP, is critical for people with cystic fibrosis.

The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested over £88 million in AMR programme funding over the last five years. This includes research to develop and evaluate diagnostics and point‑of‑care testing to improve infection detection and optimise antibiotic use. The NIHR also supports the development of health technologies, including diagnostics, through its wider research infrastructure.

The UK will continue to invest in tackling AMR where it is most impactful, helping to ensure that our actions to address AMR reduce the burden for the people who are more affected.