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Written question asked by Danny Chambers (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Thursday, 11 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Antimicrobials: Prescriptions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Neighbourhood Health Framework published on 17 March, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the inclusion of infection diagnostics within the plan; and what steps are being taken to ensure access to rapid and point‑of‑care diagnostic tests to support accurate diagnosis, appropriate antimicrobial prescribing, and the reduction of unnecessary antibiotic use in primary care.

Answer

The Neighbourhood Health Framework focuses on improving access to diagnostic services by bringing them closer to home as part of the wider ambition to shift care from hospital to community settings. In this context, it commits NHS England to reviewing direct access to diagnostics for general practice and undertaking a review of diagnostic services to map existing community diagnostic centre capacity and planned expansion.

Rapid and point‑of‑care infection diagnostics can play an important role in supporting clinical decision-making, antimicrobial stewardship, and more appropriate antibiotic prescribing. The Government’s approach to improving access to these technologies is informed by the UK 2024–2029 National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance, which identifies improved diagnostics and diagnostic stewardship as key priorities in reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use. The UK 2024–2029 National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029/confronting-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029

NHS England and local systems will continue to consider opportunities to improve access to appropriate diagnostic technologies, including rapid and point‑of‑care tests, as part of wider efforts to strengthen community diagnostic pathways. Decisions on the adoption and use of these technologies are guided by evidence on clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and operational feasibility.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6187
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Prescriptions Community health services Antimicrobials
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk